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Hi Joan.... Thanks for sharing the information 'bout your search for an assisted living home/facility with us. I gained some insight into my own probable future needs from reading of your experiences. I don't know how old ya are, but in looking into the type of "assisted living" set-up you've so luckily ended up in finding and living in, I've sure had difficulties in finding that type of place in the Los Angeles area. I'm 55 and don't want to end up living with people who are 112 years old and older <rueful smile> I guess I'm thinking more of a small "group HOME," rather than a "facility." (or maybe I just don't KNOW what I'm looking for yet?) <'nother sigh> (but I'll know it when I SEE it!) <grin> NOW - that said, I've really just begun looking for an assisted living facility for my 80 year old mother, and've had my own possible future needs tucked away in the back of my mind while looking for a residence for mom. Mom has a coupla severe physical ailments PLUS dementia so our needs differ radically at this time, and I keep that in mind when I check out a facility. Still, it seems to me that there really are so few places - if any - for persons in MY circumstances (moderately active, fairly-klutzy-bumps-into-things-but-doesn't-fall (yet). I'd say the difference between what I'm searching for for mom is a "constant-assisted-living" facility with on-site medical assistance (knowing mom's "declining" faster than I am as well as degenerating) for mom, and an "assisted-IF-needed-and/or-wanted" type place - more a HOME than an institution - for myself. Mom's ready for this type of residence YESTERDAY. <deep sigh> I can get along just fine right now with a cleaning crew a coupla times a month and some carpet shampooing a few times yearly, and lotsa home-delivery-pizza type meals of dining out. But the future looms big in my mind and THAT kinda has me stumped right now. With Medicare I can get full-time live-in nursing easier than I can get OCCASIONAL, or part-time "living assistance," which is what I'd classify the type of help many of us who aren't living in a family-type situation might need, initially, at least. I'm in a "twixt 'n between" stage of life - neither very young nor very old, and neither terribly sick nor terribly well... a somewhat confusing transitional point in life's journey... but interesting none the less. Barb Mallut [log in to unmask] ---------- From: Parkinson's Information Exchange on behalf of Joan Holliday Sent: Monday, January 12, 1998 1:16 AM To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN Subject: Re: "Assisted living" as alternative to nursing home? Jack, I can only tell you what has worked for me as far as living fairly safely and comfortably for the last four years. I have had PD for 20 yrs and about 5 yrs ago I found I had to retire on disability. I was a widow living in the home where I had lived for 20 years and my children began to worry, especially after I had suffered several falls. We looked at several elderly places, most with one room and you were only eligible for the facility if you could get to the dining room under your own power, We did look ar one place, however, that consisted of one or two bedroom apartments with their own kitchen even though you could (and did pay for) eat 3 meals a day in a communal dining room. However, in most ways you were on your own and could lie some time before you were discovered after a fall. My kids didn't think it would provide enough security and we crossed it off the list. Then, six months later I saw an article in the paper describing a wing opened up by this same elderly community that had staff available 24 hours a day for handicapped but still indepenedent adults. Staff was available for shower help, assistance in getting to the dining room if needed and to do laundry, They also checked on people and were available for med reminders, putting drops in eyes etc. This arangement has been good for me. I have my own living room in which to entertain my friends and my own kitchen to brew up a cup of coffee. They do my laundry and clean my apartment once a week. There is a bank and a beauty shop in the building. It has worked out well and I dread the aternative. I'm not aware of many places like this. It's not perfect but I think it's worth looking for something similar. Joan Holliday