Theoretically... You get THE CALL...

[rames14]

dsprik -

Are you planning on coming to the rally at Pla Mor? This would also be a good opprotunity to sit down with the fulltimers around and have a good discussion. I know also that their was a vendor from Med Air? - that had an insurance plan for fulltimers. If I recall right, they would fly people to emergencies if necessary and tow the vehicle and truck to the location. I'm sure someone will jump in that either has the service or remembers the presentation. Another thought.

[dsprik]

Ron, Can you tell me directions to Pla Mor? I believe you mentioned before that it is from the 8th through the 13th of Sept?

[Montana_4221]

dsprik,
Like richfaa my Mother passed away from Alzheimers. The difference in my story is that we moved her into our home and cared for her the last two years of her life. Just as he described they are stripped of their dignity and die. I guess the advantage to having them at home is you can cushion the blow of that loss of dignity, where that usually isn,t possible in assisted living or nursing home setting.My wife lost her Mother to cancer 8 months prior to my Moms death so we were pretty busy during those years. I was fortunate to have a wife who was wiiling to provide the care as she did during that time. My boss was a godsend as well because she never failed to work with me when I needed to be out of work and that was a considerable amount. All in all the experience was the most heart wrenching thing I have ever been through. We were also truly blessed to have my Mom there during that time. We wouldn't trade that time for all the Montanas on this planet.
I will say that we were ready to go camping when it was over and we really cherish our freedom.

[Chuck and Carol]

I had to put my Mother in a nursing home May '04. She also has AZ. I has been a tough year trying to take trips and be with her. I go over every day when I am home. The other day when I went over before we left she didn't know me. First time that happened. Hurt and first and then struck me funny. One thing we have to do is keep a sense of humor. Some of the things she says "are" quite funny.
She's healthier than a horse except the AZ. The day I left she was starting not to eat. I will be home next week and see how that is going. My brother takes over when I am gone.
Chuck and I want to go full time next September. But we are not getting "that" far away from NY. There is plenty to see on the east coast to keep us busy. I am afraid to fly, but I think I could if it were for my Mom. Our concern is the animals. But everywhere has vets that they "could" be boarded in. Plus now that we are back to the fifth wheel, we could leave it and drive home. Where there's a will, there's a way.

Carol

[jrgwdenner]

If I understand correctly, some of the credit cards that give you points for purchases, will reimburse you after-the-fact. My brother bought airline tickets at a reduced price and his credit card credited his account for the price of the airline ticket. While a last minute ticket would be higher, at least you could pay it off in accumulated points.

[Montana_4391]

Although I'm not a FT, I can empathize with your situation. Living in Alaska puts you a long way away from your family for many people. And when the time comes, it can be VERY expensive to get back home "in time". One thing I have heard from some folks up here is to have one emergency credit card that is kept active for only such emergencies. Get a card and charge something small just to activate it. And every so often charge something small and pay it off that month, keeping the card in good standing. That way if something happens, you will at least be able to get back.

[richfaa]

Everyones circumstances in caring for your parents in their illness and final years are different and must be evaluated according to the conditions, and they are varied. In the first few years of our lives our parents made great sacrifice to care for us. I know there were many things they did not do or gave up so that we received proper care. We could do no less in last few years of their lives. Our primary responsibility was our parents just as their primary responsibility was their children.New trucks, Campers, long trips, even job changes that would take us far away went on hold with no regrets.
That we may have given up 5 years or longer doing what we wanted to do is insignificant compared to what they did for us..
All of our parents are now gone..We have the new truck, we will have the new camper, we will take the long trips, we will do what we wanted to do..No regrets on the delay.