Thank you all so very much for your feedback, suggestions and support! Sorry for being away for so long and to only be getting back to you now.
Sherri, which retirement home is your dad in? My daughter works at Prince of Wales in Barrhaven.
Brayden, I can assure you, my dad fills me in on every last detail of what is going on back home including all of the misery he and my mom are living. I'm glad he feels comfortable enough to tell me what he's feeling; it's good for him to get it out. I can handle it and he knows that.
A retirement or assisted living home in Portage has a very long wait. My brother suggested they get their names into a couple of them over a year ago. If a spot opens up and they're not ready, they can go back to the bottom of the list. Easy, right? Well, my dad never did it. I'm sure it's hard to admit when it's time to move on...especially before you're ready.
I've done a ton of research for resources in Manitoba for them. I found the Victorian Order of Nurses website which provides private nursing, caregiver support, respite care...and many other things. I've visited the Senior's Resource Network for Manitoba, which is full of agencies and numbers to contact. There is a lot out there, it's just a matter of digging through it all to see what fits your needs...that's time consuming, of course.
Over the last few weeks, my brother (from New Orleans), my sister (from Belgium) and I have decided that we will come together in Portage (Manitoba) for two weeks at the end of May. My dad (and mom) is thrilled and can't wait to have us all together at home. Thankfully, my brother and sister are incredible people and will do whatever they have to, to help out. They are incredibly sensitive to the needs of my parents and are very aware of the fragility of the situation. So am I. We will be very gentle in any approach we have with them. I feel very blessed to have the family I have!
Again, thank you. It's nice to know I'm not alone in my concern and feelings of helplessness.
Suzie