Could the forum writers please not use abbreviations?

There are some abbreviations that are commonplace and consistent with abbreviations that have been used for years e.g. POA for power of attorney, ALF for assisted living facility, UTI for urinary tract infection. But there are also some abbreviations that have been invented such as DH for "dear husband" and I also found them confusing until I learned which posters use them. Abbreviations like MIL, FIL, BIL, and SIL are mother-father-brother-sister inlaw, respectively. For newbies, that's hard to know. I agree more posters should first spell out abbreviations and provide the abbreviation so that there is clarity.

I do understand the frustration but for me personally I am on a tablet. Typing out with a stylus. Abbreviations are so much easier. I do try though, when its a new member, to write it out and from then on use an abbreviation.

Ballardite, I've been here a long time, and I agree with you. You shouldn't have to refer to another thread to figure out what people are saying.

I would ask that people write out the term once in their post, then they can use the abbreviations from that point on.

Example:

"Have the doctor check to see if your loved one (LO) in memory care (MC) has a urinary tract infection (UTI). If your LO needs more medical care than the MC can provide, then long-term care (LTC) might be a better choice. Just make sure you have power of attorney (POA), so you can make medical decisions for her."

That's just clear and concise writing and more considerate of others.

Holy cow!!! There are a lot of abbreviations. Thank you cwillie for providing the site for them. I learned a lot of new ones.

Leave it to our cwillie. Thank you!

I sometimes have to look up some of the abbreviations too. Good point you make.