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Hey folks, welcome to the new whine/general topic thread. Feel free to use this thread to discuss anything that is on your mind. Caregiving- related stuff, life after a loved one's death, your own emotional wellbeing. Whatever..........anything on your mind.

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Lylii, I find your post rather sad. At age 66 and 71, you and your husband are not ‘old’. This is the time when many people travel, rather than planning their funerals. You think that your 4 kids don’t care at all about you, but then do you call them? Or visit them? They are in your area, so why shouldn’t you do something to improve the relationships? Perhaps your 4 children think you aren’t interested in them, their partners or their children, and want nothing from them?

Planning for your own older ages is a good idea, but family relationships matter too. For example, you haven’t mentioned a POA as part of your planning, and a trusted child is a usual choice.
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repost. sorry.
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Lylii,
Good on you for preparing. I am 83, partner is 85, and he and I both raised two girls each before we met and joined with them already grown, some 38 years ago. We have taken care of business as well and would NEVER have any hands on care from our kids. His two live close in our area, and mine out across the country with lots of visits. There is estrangement with one child of the family.
Might I ask you--you say that your children all live in your area but that not one of them "cares". If you mean that they don't care to do caregiving, amen to that; they SHOULDN'T in my opinion. But if all FOUR simply don't CARE there is a history that dictates reasons for that. I am wondering not so much what those reasons are, as being estranged from a child I know they would make a book of some length. But I am wondering if there is a chance/a choice for some loving connection of some kind, and a sharing of lives. Our children grow up. They have their own friends, their own opinions, their own lives, and that is as it should be, but it is surprising to hear you have four in your area with not a one interested in connection.

Good on you for making plans, but I have one more suggestion. If you don't have family, then what about friends. Because there comes a time you need some help. Not a LOT. But some. And if you can hire that in that is good. But you mention the good old demise in the home. It happens more than you know. And for my brother, when he lived alone in Palm Springs, he had friends once in 80s where they called one another daily. Toward the end once in a.m. and once in p.m. It really is a good thing. Because that can come down to wellness checks.

Boy that Swedish Cleaning thing! End of life prep is one big subject for sure. Wish we had a whole column about it, because what's for dinner in my case is often pretty boring at this point, hee hee. And repetitive. It's Trader Joe homemade pizza again tonight!
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Lylii, it sounds like a comprehensive list. You covered all the bases.Good for you and your husband. Like you, I have no intention of having my only child do anything for me. At The age of 70 I’m still dealing with my father’s stuff and his nursing home and Medicaid issues. It’s been pure hell for a long time and I don’t plan on subjecting her to the misery I’m having to dealing deal with.

Hope you have a long time to enjoy life before you have to put these plans in place.
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Hi, I'm about to turn 66, and my husband will be 71 soon. Starting to think about our own mortality. Have our wills, medical power of attorneys, directives to physicians and general power of attorneys (spouse only) done. Thinking about the fact that we will have no assistance in our final years. We have 4 kids in the area, but none of them care enough about us to even call us once in a while or visit, so I know they have no intention of helping us. Thinking about all the things we will need help with. We are in a fairly rural area, but can get grocery and prescription delivery. We will use Senior Transportation (if there is any) or Uber to get into town for doctor appts. Will need to find a trustworthy handyman for household repairs and a reliable housecleaning company. Already trying to get rid of anything we don't use and don't need - seems like an unsurmountable task. As long as my husband is alive, we will live here in our home, and whatever happens, happens. My husband says he will take care of his problem on his own before he will go into assisted living. If I survive him, I assume I'll put myself in independent or assisted living, as long as I can have my small dog. Otherwise, I'll live here alone with my dogs. We've decided to be cremated and have out urns buried by my husbands workshop, which is his favorite place to be. Still need to list life insurance policies, savings accts, etc for the kids for after we are gone. Thought long and hard about whether we should leave anything to the kids, but decided it really doesn't matter because we'll be gone. Will leave some to pet charities and a good friend. This assumes we don't have to use everything for Medicaid. I feel better having a plan. I don't want my kids to go through the same hell I am going through taking care of my elderly Mom who is in assisted living. But it would be nice to know that they care a little. I think we could die overhear and no one would notice until the smell got really bad. I'm still working on coming to terms with this, but am doing pretty well with it now. Does anyone think I'm doing the wrong things?
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Thanks for my mirror birthday greetings you guys, I was happy to accept my freebie from Tim's (especially since I can't seem to correct the information).
But to get to my real birthday you'll have to write the date as day, month, year . The day should be obvious😜, but for security purposes I'm not giving away the month 🤪 (lol)
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Hope your birthday month was great!
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Happy Birthday anyway, cw. 💐🎂🎈🎉🎁
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PS - If anyone thinks they've figured out my actual birthday you're just guessing because my "birthday" offer was good for several days
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I have a funny(ish?) story. For years I've been hearing about other people getting a freebie from Tim Horton's on their birthdays and I've been somewhat miffed that I have never gotten anything. Until today... when I checked my app I saw a birthday offer. I was confused because it's not my birthday, but when I checked my profile page I realized the date format was set to the American style month, day, year. Ohhh, that explains it. So... happy mirror birthday to me lol
Even funnier (to me at least) is that I only now realized my nephew #2 and I have mirror birthday dates!
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Thanks Golden and Cwillie.

We have no designated holiday spending, and no longer send gifts for many years now. Counselors have mentioned that after rent, utilities, and groceries for the disabled income, there is very little left over. Yet, he doesn't get it, acts entitled.
But I have a lock on the accounts, and will beef up security.

If he continues to act like the enemy, he will be treated like the enemy.
I pray for my enemies, so he should look out.
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Wouldn't be acceptable to anyone, I think, send. Financial splurging and especially secrets are no-nos. ((((hugs))))

Can the two of you talk sensibly about holiday spending?
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Yes, I agree.

Apparently, Rep-Payee only covers Social Security Income.
Spouse feels all the rest is HIS to splurge, and kept a secret from me.

This is not acceptable, at least to me. He has crossed a fine line of entitlement and betrayal. However, he does this once a year in November and December.

If the contempt continues, this will be the deal breaker.
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Definitely a situation for separate accounts. No one touches MY money I worked hard for it.

I do think there are times where "yours, mine and ours" works best, but that is not always the case.

Sympathies, send. That's difficult.
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Two words Send - separate accounts. I've always favoured the yours, mine and ours system but of course that doesn't always work for everyone.
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M U T I N Y
The term "mutiny" in this context likely refers to a partner taking control of the finances, which can be a form of financial abuse regardless of the reason. While a husband with autism might take over money due to communication differences, a lack of understanding of shared finances, or other factors, this behavior can still be harmful and requires addressing the situation with clear communication and professional support. 
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This trick or treat concern reminds me of when I see the therapy dogs being brought into a room in a nursing home . Some of those dogs are big . I never felt comfortable around large dogs. When I see these dogs brought in ,
I’ve often thought if I was bedridden , or had dementia I would be frightened .
I think they should find out from the patient or the family if their LO did not like ( large ) or any dogs in general .
My parents did not like when the dogs came in. My mother liked the cats that used to come though .
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I’ve seen trick or treat at facilities .
It’s always been in the common living room or dining room area and the residents selected to participate were those that would not be upset by the activity .
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Casole, I agree. It sounds like it could be fun in theory but
I imagine some residents might get confused and stressed out.
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I'm seeing several posts on fb saying "consider bringing your kids to a nursing home for trick ok treat, the residents will love it". Thoughts? Me, I think not a good idea at all...
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Very happy to hear this!
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Thank you Alva. Thank you Bundle of Joy. For your support during my heartbreak. I love her so much. False alarm. It’s not over. We had a misunderstanding about a topic that has since been all cleared up. We’re fine. My caregiving of my sister is going fine, too.
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Thanks!
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hereiam, here’s a quote in case it helps you, or anyone else:
🌟🌟🌟

“Don’t feel sad over someone who gave up on you. Feel sorry for them because they gave up on someone who would have never given up on them.”
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Thank you Alva.
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hereiam, if the relationship was so troubled, then it's good it is over. I wish you peace and healing.
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Thank you Bundle. I will try to see it that way.
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hi here i am, don’t worry. if your relationship turns out to be really over, that’s good!! in fact, the sooner the better!! so you don’t waste time on the wrong person. and if your relationship turns out not to be over, that’s good, too. you see?

i wish you to find love.
🌟🌟🌟
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Thank you Alva. But you misunderstood. I mean that the relationship appears to be over.
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hereiam,
Oh, good. This bout is over. Know we know you, we remember you, you're a member in good standing, and we are always here to listen. And otherwise it is just to wish you best of luck. Keep on keeping on.
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