No Room in the Inn

I'm leaving on a jet plane this afternoon.  There are meetings with doctors and social workers on the agenda for the next few days.  I'm not certain the outcome is going to be favorable.

For the past two years my 91 year old mother has been living with my sister.  The arrangement was far from perfect but it worked.  During this time her condition has slowly deteriorated.  Up until now her general health has been stable, mobility being the main issue.  Last spring Mom determined it was time for a change.  We visited long term health care facilities, made our selection and placed her on a waiting list in July.  She is still on that list.  We have learned during this waiting process that placement into a long term health care facility from home is next to impossible.  The needs of hospitalized individuals take precedent.

Early this week Mom had a middle of the night scare with her heart.  She was admitted to the hospital where she remains at this writing.  Her physician immediately initiated plans to transfer her directly to our preferred long term health care facility upon discharge.  It appeared there was a silver lining in this cloud of uncertainty.  Not so fast.  Yesterday we received word that there are no female beds available.  Not in our first choice or our second.  Not even in facilities that did not make our list.

Oh the irony.  It jumps up and smacks you in the face.  We did our due diligence.  Played by the rules.  When finally the promised land is reached there is no room in the inn.

There is a big picture here.  One that begs to be addressed.  However, you are in luck.  My soapbox is in the attic and I have a flight to catch.