I’m moving my dad into a retirement home tomorrow. It’s been a tough couple of months and it’s gotten to the point where my mum can no longer look after my dad, and so he will have to go somewhere where he can be cared for 24/7 by professionals. My poor mum did everything she can, but she needs to live her life, as sad as that makes her.
I’m really upset too. I’m so lucky to have had my parents in my life well into my fifties, but it doesn’t hurt any less seeing them get older and more frail. Tomorrow is going to be a hard day for everyone, including dad, so I’m going to try and make the process as smooth and stress free as possible.
I’ve thought about everything that could go wrong tomorrow, including issues with furniture transport and personal transportation. I decided about a week ago to get a car service, so that we don’t accidentally break down or something on the day. It was a very good idea, because as it turned out, I actually desperately needed a car brake service. I didn’t even realise, and it could’ve been disastrous if something had happened to my brakes tomorrow. This is why planning ahead is the way to go.
Okay, so today’s the day. I’m really stressed about a lot of things today, but I am really thankful that I visited the Milperra mechanic last week. Knowing that I’m going to take my dad safely to his new home today gives me a massive sense of relief, even if having to take him there will be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I really love my dad and I’m sad that it has had to come to this. Hopefully when we arrive and are greeted by the lovely nurses he will be living with, I’ll feel more at peace with my decision.