This has its benefits, but there is no place like home and the comfort of the familiar. I have put up pictures, brought in a television, a phone, books, and other small knickknacks that mother had surrounded herself with over the years. It is not home, and I, like many other children of aging parents, feel so guilty and somewhat helpless to meet my parent's needs. Growing old is not always a pretty thing. The body and mind seem at odds with each other.
Fear seems to grip the mind, and frustration seems to fill each day.
Mental confusion, and just not feeling real well, makes each day a challenge. Even the most optimistic person must struggle to stay afloat each and every day. Small things become obstacles of infinite frustration, and the elderly can become demanding, and sometimes hostile to those who are trying so hard to meet their needs. Yet, my mom struggles to retain her sense of personhood and control over her life. Though she is bedridden and wheelchair bound, she insists that she must have a pair of dress shoes and a Sunday dress.