When There Is More Than One Opinion On What to Do Next, What Do You Do Next?

                Mom is doing well, having a caregiver come into her house to visit with her once a week. The idea, of course, is to have the care-giver there to do the things that are hard for Mom to do on her own. Pulling the bed clothes, doing larger cleaning projects, cooking meals that involve more than the microwave, etc.
           Mom now knows that Saturday is the day when Sharon (not her real name) arrives. So Mom tries to make sure the house is clean before she gets there. On one hand, it misses the point. On the other hand, however, it’s just fine. Mom always had a spotless house. This gives her a particular reason to keep things ‘just so.’
           Some of us want to ramp up the care-giver’s responsibilities by having her come in two days a week. Then three days a week, and so on. Others are not as anxious to make that move. Money is not a motivating factor. It’s not the expense. It is the idea that Mom is losing more autonomy.
           Do we continue to take more of her self-reliance and autonomy away from her in the name of ‘protecting’ her?  It is not an easy call. No one is pushing back from adding the second day each week with their words. But there is not a clear agreement between all three of us (and we are all named as the attorney-in-fact, in succession).  So we’re not sure of the next step.

One thing we have in our favor is that we are talking. Communication is very important, even if you don’t agree on everything.  Keep the lines of communication open between all who are helping to make the decisions for your loved one. Include that loved one if at all possible.

          As for us, we’ll have an answer. Soon. I’m sure.