Elderly living

About 8 years ago, I was in Montana visiting my American friend's family (Mom and Dad) at MIssion Ridge, Billings, Montana. I recall that I was very impressed with the place as it looked like a great one for the elderly to do activities together in this senior center as it offered a whole lot from a chapel, special concerts and talks, nice meals, and shuttles to the city, etc. 

My second time at this place has given me some different things to learn. 

Dad passed away three years ago and so Mom who is 92 continues to stay there at her apartment, managing her own life without much need to move to another type of 'assisted housing' (offering help on medication from nurses and closer attentive services).

Mom said after having lived there for 15 years, she found that it was time for her to move out. It wasn't the financial issue as it is affordable for her (though services and other fees have been much higher and in fact, this place is sort of hiso and expensive ka.) She said it was sad to learn and see people dying there and she had been writing so many 'with sympathy' cards that made her feel depressed. She also thought that it was getting harder making conversations when many had stories about grandchildren and pets to share while she had neither. Having lost her husband is definitely one of the factors added up to her feeling much less happy staying there.

Another factor I didn't think of was health issues. Some elderly could become quite stubborn when they got sick. This place had to put them in quarantine not to spread the disease to others. Everyone at the old age has to stay as fit as possible so they get nervous when someone is sick and mingle with them.

Much earlier on, I thought having various activities would be great. I think this place needs more younger ones to offer more life to it ka. Even the staff here are mostly young, the turnover is high just like other places in the US and they are around to finish their tasks, not to really be with the residents working on some projects together. When I came over, I could contribute a little by bringing to them a new face and some different stories to share ka.

I hope Mom will be happier as luckily, my friend has placed Mom as her first priority in life already moved from another state to take care of her mother. They will stay at one nice home together with the main floor for her Mom and the den for herself to give each other some space. 

There're so many factors Thais need to think when building a community for the elderly na ka.