Home helps family do what they couldn't do alone
Wednesday, March 30, 2005 - Shelley Jordan
It was difficult for Trudy Hawke to leave her mother at a Long-term care home in Southampton, but on the other hand, mom had lived in the town almost her entire life.

And that was exactly the kind of thinking that helped the 63-year-old cope with decisions the family believes is best for their 98-year-old mother Isabel.

"I guess I thought as a family we should have been dealing with it rather than placing her in an institution," says Trudy. "But I also knew after working with her for some time that it really wore you down."

Isabel was a school teacher until she retired and lived independently untill she turned 96. That year she began suffering fainting spells leading Trudy to suspect mini strokes as the culprit. But a doctor ruled that out and without an alternative diagnosis and treatment, it was necessary to bring in care from outside.

Isabel was visited at her house by meals on wheels, the Red Cross, and Victoria Order of Nurses staff, as well as receiving care from family members who would take turns dropping in. After Isabel suffered a broken arm, the doctor suggested to Trudy it was time for 24-hour care.

"She had arthritis and angina too," says Trudy. "It was difficult for her to be independent much longer."

So Trudy, who lives in Kitchener, set about finding her mother a Long-term care home that would be suitable to her mother's needs. To ease herself into the idea, Trudy explored a couple of options in the Southampton area where her mother preferred to be.

"The staff at Southampton Care Centre were great. They were so welcoming."

Living at Southampton Care Centre means the 98-year-old can be close to her house which remains in the possession of the family. She can attend family gatherings and sit on the veranda enjoying her garden. When the day is done, she goes back to her new home, Southampton Care Centre.

"She says she feels secure there," says Trudy. "She has a private room, and a bathroom. She knits and reads. She keeps busy."

Trudy says her mom fell in January and has been using a wheelchair and walker since. But the elder woman's spunky nature is evident in her determination to walk on her own again.

"To see her in her wheelchair.she just bombs around everywhere. She's walking with a walker, practicing every day. She's pretty strong, and by that I mean strong willed and physically pretty strong."

And Trudy suspects much of that strength comes from being in familiar surroundings.

"I think the fact that she could stay in her own town with lots of visitors coming in has made the difference. She taught some of the staff and they're especially nice to her."