You all seem like a nice bunch.  I've learned quite a lot by lurking here
for a few days.  I will probably stick around, if only to keep lurking.

For those of you who are caregivers, I wish I could express how your posts
have made me feel.  In short I have learned a very great deal about the
challenges faced by my sister.

My 90 year old father lives near her, about 25 miles from her residence and
in the town where she is employed.  He is in a multi level residential
area - currently in "supported independent" apartment.  Levels moving up
from there are available to him with no additional application process
involved.

We have recently received a diagnosis of what I am guessing is 'vascular
dementia"  He has had at least one TIA that we know of (when my mother was
still living and observed it)  My guess is there have been more - on at
least one occasion he passed out cold as he was entering my sister's home
for an afternoon visit.

While he probably has enough financial assets to be a significant plus for
him - virtually ALL of the value is in illiquid real estate.  My sister has
learned recently that he is getting more and more remiss in keeping up with
the necessary expenditures.  (Insurance policies lapsing for lack of payment
and then reinstated, etc)  Also a local pharmacy has contacted her to obtain
her help in bringing his account current.

She has a POA, and also a medical POA, but as of a day or two ago she has
not been able to connect with the diagnosing neurologist to have it recorded
in his files and get a copy of his various reports (Two or three visits over
the last 8-9 months)

I have four siblings, and one of those four second guesses EVERYTHING my
sister does.  This does not help things AT ALL.  the dissenting sibling and
I will have an extended time together later next month, with time to visit
my dad and I am planning to use at least some of that time to attempt to
ease the family tension and persuade the dissenter to cut my sister a little
slack and gain more confidence in my sister's on the scene activities.

The nursing staff where he lives is quite helpful - I wish I could persuade
my sister to seek out a caregiver's support group.  I think she needs more
on the scene contact with others who cope the way she does.

I know this is a long post.  I was encouraged to read other lengthy messages
from the rest of you.  I hope I have not overstayed my first foray into your
company.

Thanks so much for being who you are.

Please begin to think of me by my nickname - "Woodstock"  I am not a little
yellow bird - I came of age in the 1960's and when another friend called me
"Woodstock" on some whim or another, I loved the handle and kept it.