Well I was wrong. My contact with the doctor has not been forgotten or forgiven. In our conversation this weekend, we were talking about my brother and his diabetes. My mother made a comment about how only the person with the disease should seek help for the problem because they are the only ones that can do anything about it. Not a very subtly veiled comment about my intrusion into her affairs.
At the same time, I'm reading a book written by the guru of dementia care, Dr. William Thomas. The book is called "Lessons from Hannah". An excellent book by the way. It is in story format, but speaks very well about how we as society need to be looking at elder care in a very different way. I admit, I am guilty of thinking I know best about everything. I totally understand what my mother is referring to and she should determine her own care. Except that the symptoms of the illness we are dealing with in this case make it very difficult for the individual to make a very accurate self assessment. Is my desire for the disease to be kept at bay as long as possible, more important than her right to make her own decisions, even if they can't be very well informed decisions? So much gray area and so little black and white. At the very least, this is experience is making me a much better care giver for the residents of the assisted living facility in my care.
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