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SuzanneBessler Asked March 2011

How can we decide what's best for my parents who want to live together but are happier living separately in assisted living and a nursing home?

My mother in law is in an assisted living facility and loves the fact that there are so many activities, etc. and that some of her friends have recently moved in and that her church pays her a visit. My father in law was there for a short while but his incontinence problems prevented him from staying longer as it is not a skilled facility but an assisted living home. His roommate passed away recently and he would like his wife to join him in the Adult Foster Care. She is not interested in coming as he has no desire to participate in activities, etc. and sleeps most of the day and they do not offer as much. They do miss being together which makes this such a difficult decision. We want them both to be happy. Yes, it would be cheaper for them both to be together and easier on my brother-in-law and family to visit one facility instead of two. We are torn as to what is best for them both. My Mother in Law has been happy at the assisted living facility since day One. While he was there, he didn't participate much. Such a dilemma!

islander Feb 2013
PS - this view is offered as a result of watching my own parents ..... Mom is the one left alive and she's probably the happiest 92-year old on the planet.

islander Feb 2013
Allow your mother her life of activity. A non-social spouse can be not such a probem earlier in life when there are children at school etc - but to be left bored and shackeled late in life because your spouse is a hermit is no way to live. He would only be a drag on the time she has left. Encourage her to visit him a lot and to bring light and life to is days, but do not allow his lack of social interest to dominate what could be a very happy part of her life. Even late in life there has to be a middle ground and each person is just as deserving of really fulfilling their desires now as they were when they were 18,

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