One of the women in my spirituality group will not be coming to our retreat next month. She has participated for about 15 years but cannot this year. She has dementia and finds it hard to be away from her home. My friend is turning 90 the end of August. She still lives in the home she built herself more than 50 years ago. She loves to paddle the canoe she made, out on the sound. She plays a piano beautifully and has not lost the music in her mind. She wants to stay in her own home for the rest of her life. Because she now needs much more help, the cost has gotten pretty high.
One of her closest friends sent an email to our group telling us what's going on and asking for help. There is a woman who lives nearby who has been coordinating the various services and arranges for things to be bought to take care of my friend. Many of us have offered to do what we can.
After much thinking, talking and work, the two women closest to my friend came up with some ideas. One is to directly pay some bills (telephone, electricity, etc.) The other was to set up an account to be used for my friend as needed. We wanted to make sure nothing we did counted as income for our friend as that could make her ineligible for some services she is receiving and we don't want that to happen.
The responses have been wonderful. Some are able to commit to a monthly amount. I cannot do that as I don't know how my monthly income and expenses are going to work in a few months after I retire. So, instead, this morning I mailed a nice cheque to the bank for my friend's fund; it doesn't go into her bank account at all. But it's there for these two women to use as necessary.
I am so proud of us all pulling together to support our old friend.
I added the graphic below (which is a book cover) because it embodies the adventurous nature of my friend.
One of her closest friends sent an email to our group telling us what's going on and asking for help. There is a woman who lives nearby who has been coordinating the various services and arranges for things to be bought to take care of my friend. Many of us have offered to do what we can.
After much thinking, talking and work, the two women closest to my friend came up with some ideas. One is to directly pay some bills (telephone, electricity, etc.) The other was to set up an account to be used for my friend as needed. We wanted to make sure nothing we did counted as income for our friend as that could make her ineligible for some services she is receiving and we don't want that to happen.
The responses have been wonderful. Some are able to commit to a monthly amount. I cannot do that as I don't know how my monthly income and expenses are going to work in a few months after I retire. So, instead, this morning I mailed a nice cheque to the bank for my friend's fund; it doesn't go into her bank account at all. But it's there for these two women to use as necessary.
I am so proud of us all pulling together to support our old friend.
I added the graphic below (which is a book cover) because it embodies the adventurous nature of my friend.
3166 Reads
- Posted by terre
- Jul 31, 2015
- Comments (10)
Readers Comments
kiwicat wrote: Wow, that is such a beautiful story. Im glad your friend can stay in her own home, which is important for dementia. Such a cruel illness for everyone.
Brindlegirl wrote: Terre this is beautiful, and goes to show the power of when we all pull together. Your friend is very blessed to have you all in her life ♥
pluto178 wrote: Laura Lee HOPE........my favourite word at the moment...a wonderful kind and genuine gesture of love.........thank you x
bountiful wrote: terre that is fantastic to show true friendship when rocky rapids have come across, you have banded together as a solid group, jsut like the book cover..thoughts and blessings for you all ::)) xx
mindyjourney wrote: Thank you for pulling together and paddling through the storms for your dear friend. That, my dear terre, is the kindness of connection and love <3. Please let us know what we can do, perhaps a supportive message or card?? Blessings to all of you!
Mish wrote: Group open-hearted caring...brought tears . How truly beautiful, Terre. Blessings of caring for others & bring cared for.
melnotes wrote: I love what you have done, that is so very special and kind. Big ups to you and your friends and may your 90 year old friend be at peace and have comfort in her own home as she takes the journey through the last remaining years of her life! Thank you for sharing xx
lindariebel wrote: May we all have, and be, friends like you!
AK wrote: Wonderful to read this story of how so many people have opened up their heart to help someone. Awesome!
gerwar wrote: Thank you on behalf of all of us. You make the world a better place
