Mitch and Rachel found the perfect assisted living center.
“Mother will love it. Two bedrooms, one for her computer and books; washer-dryer in-unit; she can bring both cats…”
“And the beautiful grounds! Acres of paved paths, lined with roses – it even has a plaza with a fountain!”
They moved me in and sold my home, despite the notes I wrote best I could saying, “No!”
On my first tour of the grounds, they wheeled me to the plaza and left me there, in the sun. For my own good, they said.
Nobody read the charts about my photosensitivity.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the illuminating host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
Oops! Too cruel.
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Thanks, Sadje. Hopefully they didn’t leave her out there too long — and won’t do it again!
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I hope so. But seem like a nasty bunch.
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Well break my heart.
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Sorry!
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<3 You've actually done me a favour and reminded me why I have a plan for situations like these ;)
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:)
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Ouch, not an encouraging start…
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No, it isn’t :(
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Oh how awful! So much for caring children… They were just trying to wipe their hands of her. So sad.
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They should have at least made sure the place knew about her health needs; at the very least the place should have awareness of health needs as standard practice!
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Seriously… And know what those needs are, which they don’t seem to
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Could she have made arrangements in advance, protecting her from their intrusion? We d on’t know the whole story. Maybe she needs it and won’t admit it. This tale allows for quite a whole lot of filling in of more details
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Yes, maybe she should have made arrangements in advance, and you are right there is a lot we don’t know about the situation. Good thoughts, Larry. Thank you for reading and commenting.
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Sad how often that sort of thing happens.
Ronda
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Making the will so as to cut the kids out if they park you in a care home is essential
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LOL! I’ll have to remember that!
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Ugh, the usual insensitivity of “professional” caretakers.
Sad, but oftentimes true.
A high 5 for the truly “caring ones.”
Randyy
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Thanks much, Randy!
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Wow. I sure didn’t see that coming. Good one!
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Thanks, Susan! It’s funny how these stories come together from looking at a picture.
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Isn’t it? I love it when a story begins telling itself, too.
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Oh! Good heavens! This took me by surprise. Negligence at its best. Well done.
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Thank you, Alicia.
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Sneaky. Love it.
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:) Thanks, Doug.
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Well that was a good twist.
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Thanks, Max!
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Ah geez, just let me die!
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lol that’s about the size of it
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Outta sight outta mind. And there she is trapped but of sound mind. Ouch. Well done.
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Yes, unfortunately, it is just so. Thanks, D.
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i wonder if she has become so helpless she couldn’t speak for herself. that’s no good.
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She may have had a stroke. She’s in a compromised condition for sure.
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is she’s at that point where she’s totally helpless she can’t speak for herself? i wonder.
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Egads, toasted mother for lunch!
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Extra crispy!
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Oh poor lady, but her children sound like they were trying their best, so double sad story, sniff
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Irene, that’s the way I see it also. They were doing their best in their own way. It has to be so difficult to trust staff caring for loved ones when the loved one isn’t able to say or do much in their defense.
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Absolutely; you packed so much in such a short story!
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Some people think they know best when they really haven’t a clue.
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I think there’s a term for that, probably more than one, but it is the root of a lot of misery.
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I am very glad my mother’s nursing home is kinder than that!
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I’m glad also, Liz.
I don’t think it is a matter of abuse/unkindness as much as one of neglect/carelessness. I know, the end result is the same. I hope they find her before any serious injury and consider it a wake-up call to read the residents’ health charts.
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So much sadness and suffering that could have been avoided with an ounce of care.
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Exactly, JoHawk!
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They moved her out in spite of her refusals. “Mother WILL love it here. Whether she wants to or not.”
This is a real fear for many who can no longer live alone. Well done.
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Linda, thank you very much for your insightful comment.
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How truly horrifying. I could feel my rage building as the story progressed.
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I know! Poor lady!
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Dear Lisa,
I echo Sandra’s comment above mine. My rage indeed mount with each line. Apparently mom still has a mind and an opinion. How sad she couldn’t get anyone to listen. Evocative and well written piece.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, yes, it is an unfortunate situation that could have been avoided with a little care. Thank you.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Having been part of a group of kids having to decide the future of an elderly relative, I can tell you it’s hard. Especially if that elderly person lives alone and keeps falling, has some complex health problems. And you can tell staff about those health problems but the messages don’t always get through. At my mother in law’s home they would try to dissuade the residents from going into the garden – more trouble for the staff, I think. It was very sad as she did love plants. Well told tale
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Thank you very much. I have been involved to some extent with my mom’s search for a satisfying place to live, and you’re right, there is a balance between the wishes of the person and the risks of their wishes. Thankfully, my mom is sound of mind and body and was able to find an affordable place within 2 miles of 3 siblings. God has blessed her.
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Oh, that’s brilliant to hear. Yes, we had the tricky problem if a frail lady living in a rural location miles from any of her kids. After a few falls – and when she got cancer – we had to talk her round into leaving the house. Very sad all round, but an impossible situation to get exactly right. I do hope your mom’s very happy in her new home
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Oh, she is. She lives NEXT DOOR to my brother. God is good sometimes.
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I liked this, great example of people pretending to care. caring is in the detail and they’ve failed to look.
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Thank you, Michael, and you have nailed it. Caring is in the detail.
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Oh, that is sad. You foreshadow your last line by telling us of mother’s attempts to object. That primes us for something dark. When I read the reveal and saw that mother suffered from photosensitivity, I thought “Wow, that shows real malice by the kids – possibly even with fatal results.” This being Friday Fictioneers, I even wondered whether it was a very cunning murder plot!
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lol, Penny, your mind did go to a dark place with that last sentence. Anything is possible!
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Oh yes, she’s going to love it there!
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Hopefully the bad stuff is out of the way now. I hope things work out for her.
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After this episode maybe her kids will see the error of their ways and bring her home…
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Oh no! Bless her! Fabulous story, a little reminder to listen to your parents wishes. Hugs, Heidi xx
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Thanks for reading and commenting, Heidi.
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My pleasure :)
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Oh no. So sad !
😭
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:( Didn’t mean to make you cry.
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All good 😊❤
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So sad, but if one had a narcissistic parent. Well, there is another story. :)
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:) It’s all in perspective, isn’t it.
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It’s patronizing when people do things to you “for your own good”.
We thought along similar lines this wek. 😊
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I gotta check your story out yet. I agree, paternalism is one of the main roots of evil in my book.
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No rush. 😊
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I think I missed it along the way? I looked at last week’s Mr. Linky and didn’t see it?
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I was very late (54th story on the list, maybe?). Here it is: https://detoutetderien2015.wordpress.com/2020/03/16/so-you-say/
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Just read it and commented, but comment disappeared. Excellent story, Magarisa. Somebody has to make the hard decisions, and talk is cheap.
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You first comment reappeared! Thanks again, Li.
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You are welcome.
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*week
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