Roy! You've GOT to be careful! (And stop scaring Elaine -- believe me, I KNOW what it's like.)

For some time, Tom's been a bit too shaky and his vision has been too poor for me to let him shower by himself. I think this is more for MY peace of mind than his fear. So he gets to sit down on a shower chair while I scrub him down. But he's not going to be able to climb the stairs to our bedroom or bathroom for a while yet, so he has to cope with sponge baths in the kitchen.

I'm constantly "on", listening for and interpreting every sound he makes so I can hear if he gets into trouble -- he hasn't the voice to call for help. He summons me when necessary with a whistle (one of those "wheeeee" sounds that can't be missed) and I find myself occasionally being irritated by it. But it's the best system we've found. The 2-way walkie-talkie picks up too much static and picks up other frequencies. More aggravation than it's worth. And I've been told by a friend who tried it with her husband that a baby monitor has the same problems -- just costs more money.

Tom is really frustrated now because he can't stand to make a meal and cooking is one of his primary joys. Doubly frustrating for him because not only is it something he enjoys, but it's yet another thing that I have to do.

I think I've finally gotten him to stop constantly apologizing every time I have to do something he would have been able to do himself if he hadn't slipped on the deck. And to let me KNOW when he needs help -- he didn't let me in on his vision problems until HE accepted that it wasn't safe for him to drive, etc.

Aging isn't easy...and it's hard to accept that there are things we can no longer do or have to do in a different way.

Katlaughing...I just ordered some of the Amergel that you had suggested (several months ago) -- now that Tom's brace can be removed twice a day and goop can be rubbed into his leg.

Linn