Bats in the Belfrey and Bees in the Attic

Anyone who knows me would attest to the fact that I have bats in the bellfrey, and now bees in the attic.

Returned from the dentist yesterday to find bees in kitchen, bees swarming around th apex of roof and live and dead bees on upstairs landing. I don't know what I am in to but know kit could be long and drawn out. Bees are protected. It is hard to find an exterminator who will deal with them. Since Mother is advanced stages of dementia, it will be hard to remove her from home.

I talked to bee man last night and he suggested spraying with insect spray when bees were inactive. I have sprayed the eaves for the last three days. The good news is I found no live bees today either inside nor outside. Am hoping I caught the problem before they had established home in the wall. From what I read, removal of hive and honey can be involved. Failure to remove results in re-infestation problems involving bees and or noxious critters such as mice, rats, ants, etc.

Eldercare and Legal Issues

Regardless of your age or mental condition, I highly recommend having recurring bills drafted. This allows freedom of movement so you do not have to be home to receive and pay bills. This is a particularly good idea for your elderly parents. Such bills include but are not limited to

• Utility Bills
• Insurance
  

Other items that should be addressed include obtaining

• A Power of Attorney
• A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
• A Directive to Physicians
  
• Updated Will
• Arrangements Regarding Financial Accounts

Many of the needed legal forms can be obtained online.
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Luckily in my family we addressed most of these issues before my parents got to the point where the need arose. No one wants to have their parents declared incompetent in order to handle their affairs. By making arrangements while the are fully competent you avoid strife.

Be sure you know about their bank accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit, stocks, bonds, life insurance, real estate holdings, mineral interests etc.

In many instances it is advisable to seek the advice of a financial planner.

Pandemonia, Prepardness, Paramedics, and Police

Boy scouts know to be prepared. The rest of us learn the hard way.

Surprise! It 3:00 am. and your elder has fallen, can not get up, and does not want you to call 911. Tis time to make a palate, make elder comfortable, and get the washing machine going to prepare for possible hospital stay. Next, round up prescriptions, phone card, phone numbers, purse etc. But wait, purse is locked in trunk of car. Where are those car keys? Since you are in the house you had to have had your keys to get in. Thank heavens for touch pad entry system. Out to car you go. Mind goes blank, what is that entry code? While outside you note you have a strange man on back patch looking under the hedge between you and your neighbor. What is he doing in your back yard and why doesn't he get the hell out of Dodge with you outside? One thing at a time. Back to house to look for keys. Still can't find. Back to car for another attempt with entry pad. Now there are two men looking in hedge but on other side of yard. Back to house, look for spare keys, call paramedics, and police. Such is a day on the funny farm.

The good news is paramedics were able to get Mom up and in bed. Police came and dealt with men who had obviously tossed something in hedge the previous night when police found them prowling.

Lessons learned.

• Keep spare meds in zip lock baggie for emergencies
• Make list of contact numbers, e-mail addresses to have ready for emergency purposes.
• Keep calling card in purse for emergency use.
  

Early Signs of Mental Decline

The summer before I became a parent, my father told me my mother was a sick woman. He saw problems before either my sister or I. It was not until he went into CHF the following Thanksgiving that I started seeing subtle signs.

Early warning signs:

• Will not drive with you in car.
• Has trouble navigating in new places.
• Asks you to order in restaurants.
• Misses making utility payment.

These signs were subtle and did not raise flags at the time. The most noticeable red flag showed up when Dad was in intensive care. Mom could not find the way to and from restroom from lntensive care. Due to stress of the time, this clue went unnoticed.

Surprise - You have Children

Many of us awake one morning and find ourselves parents without going through a nine month gestation period. After 12 years in the roll, I am still under prepared, amazed, and saddened by what each day brings. Guess I am about the face the teenage years of parenting. Eek!

Unlike our first set of children, our parental children do not advance, do not learn new skills, and eventually become unteachable.

For those of you just starting parenting, start planning your survival strategies. You will need them. Plan ways to take care of yourself and gather your team of assistants.