I had an interesting experience today, and a sad one at the same time. Today was recertification day for all staff for CPR. My host families(families that take a consumer in their home to live with them) also have to attend. These are the families I supervise on a daily basis. One women in particular hosts "Jess" who is 42 and has downs syndrome . She has been a host provider for 10 years. (I have supervised her five). She is 73 years old. I adore this woman. I admire her and I consider her a friend. She takes such good care of Jess, treats her like family, and includes her in everything they do in life. I never have to worry about Jess's needs being met, or that she will be neglected. My home visits are down to earth with her and she always makes sure I take home some of her jams when I leave. Today, during the recert, I saw she was struggling to keep up. When it came time to take the test, she failed. The nurse trainer came up to me and asked my thoughts on this. I told her "she gets nervous, and sometimes has trouble hearing, perhaps she did not hear all the comments in the class." I asked the nurse if she could retake the test. She agreed. Well, she failed again. After my class the nurse was conducting another class and I asked her if she could attend again. The nurse allowed but said this is the last chance today. She attended the class and when the time came to take the test the nurse brought her to my office and told her she could take the test there for less distractions. (I know she knows the material, I just did not know why she kept failing, at least not for sure) Before she started the test I assured her i was not going to give her the answers! What I had her do was read every question aloud to me, and let her process it that way. In doing this she got to hear herself. It took a while but she finished. She brought the test back and her grade was 85%. She came back to me with tears in her eyes. She said "Robin little by little I know I am slipping, and im scared, so scared, because i'm aware of it" This broke my heart. I know she will not be able to keep Jess much longer and she knew it too. This got me to thinking about my own parents mom 76 and dad 80. They just last week made the drive from Maine to South Carolina to their time share they stay at from Jan to April. They have been doing this for 16 years. I wonder when it will be their last trip?. I see changes in them, even though they are in good health. My dad at Christmas looked at me and said "Robin you have to move back up here, we are not getting younger" I keep hearing my friends voice "i'm slipping, i'm scared and i'm aware of it" powerful ......peace 
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read more blogs!
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oceanlover734
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Jan 9 @ 8:22PM
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This brought tears. It is so sad to watch people you care about start slipping away. Also makes you think of your own self to.
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painter007
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Jan 9 @ 8:29PM
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Its the same thing that is happening to my mom.....And what is the hardest is how she is aware of it. Its sad............Thank you for sharing....
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chris549547
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Jan 9 @ 8:34PM
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missliss78
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Jan 9 @ 8:48PM
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Hugs, dear Robin.
I had a rough go of it with my mom, who is 73, today myself.
We made it through the day but we aren't over the bridge yet.
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cartay25
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Jan 9 @ 8:53PM
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It is tough when our elderly start to slip and we have to watch knowing there is nothing we can do to help them.
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whatagal
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Jan 9 @ 8:57PM
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I don't know why I thought of this song but I just had to post it. The Rolling Stones covering a Buddy Holly tune. Great song.
Fade Away
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sciurusniger
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Jan 9 @ 9:03PM
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~*~
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chatillion
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Jan 9 @ 9:06PM
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I'm just pissed you don't have 75 kudos by now.... 
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CurvyGaGal
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Jan 9 @ 9:56PM
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Kudos my friend... I don't even want to think about my parents... My dad told me a few days ago "I am getting old"... Hit me like a rock! Not MY dad! Sad...
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EmmeS61
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Jan 9 @ 10:49PM
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My mom is 86, my stepdad 92. He has Alzheimer's, but not too bad yet. They still choose to live on their on. My mom has more strength and will then any woman I have ever known. When the time comes, I will be there for them. And I can only hope that her strength comes to me. Thanks for a great blog! Kudos.
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JimNastics
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Jan 10 @ 12:10AM
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My mom is going through this now. 
I guess it's just one more challenge to deal with. 
And I guess we are all going through it to some extent. 
Luckily, you don't get all the challenges at once. 
You get to adapt to each one and each level of severity. 
until....." all we are is dust in the wind...."
Dammit !  I'll beat death back with my cane, if I have to. 
Carpe Diem ! 
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stephendedalus
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Jan 10 @ 2:23AM
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Cherish every moment you can with your parents. I miss my mom and dad so much, sometimes, but I did get to spend quality time with both of them and always made I said everything I ever wanted to tell them (mainly "I love you") so, I knew they knew before it was too late. I know I sound morbid when I discuss this, I'm not. Love them all you can, let them know. They will surely appreciate it! By the way, I waited until after midnight to write this because my kudos ran out when you were posting all that great music, so now I can give you a kudo!!
Deda
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WouldntItBeGr8To
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Jan 10 @ 2:53AM
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"Robin you have to move back up here, we are not getting younger"
This is such a sad part of your story.
I have so much concern for you. You take care of everyone, you are Super Robin...but I am sure those words were very tough to hear. I know the burdens you take on...I am sure they played a part in your pnemonia you needed to shut down so your body did, it'll do that.
Please keep lines of communication open with your friends to talk about what ever is up with you. Sorry to sound like a shrink  lol
I am a friend
Peace
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enigmasrook
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Jan 10 @ 7:02AM
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carold
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Jan 10 @ 7:43AM
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We always think of our loved ones, especially parents, as being invincible. They're always supposed to be there when you need them. And we always seem to need them. Then one day in 1996 I got THE phone call. My sister telling me that we'd "lost" my dad. I had just seen him a few days before...so my instant thought was "where'd you lose him?" Even at his funeral life was very surreal. I still find myself almost 12 years later wanting to pick up the phone and tell him things. But while he got old his death was sudden.
His sister, however has suddenly developed dementia. She'd been slipping for awhile but now she's "gone". And I am noticing that my mom is slipping as well. It's hard to see them go in front of us. Don't know which is harder, sudden death, or the "living dead" of Alzheimers. It's still difficult to let go no matter where they stand.
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