Assistance available for people of all ages
Dear Annie: I have been living with my husband for 12 years. He will be 50 in a few months and our daughter is only 11. The problem is, my husband is ill and his doctor is predicting that he may be wheelchair bound and possibly paralyzed between now and early next year. I am afraid I may not be able to care for him when that time comes.
Since he is not a senior citizen, what places might accommodate him if he needs round- the- clock care? Are there places like nursing homes and assisted- living centres for someone who is only middle aged and wheelchair bound?
No Name U. S. A .
Dear No Name: Absolutely. Most nursing homes and assisted- living facilities that take senior citizens also take anyone who is disabled, regardless of age. The only issue would be the cost. Does your husband qualify for Medicaid? You can find out at medicaidguide.org. You didn’t specify your husband’s illness, but there may be a support organization for people with his disability that can help guide you through the options, including caring for him at home with daily assistance.
Dear Annie: I wish my neighbours would try to put themselves in my place. I live in a nice suburban neighbourhood near a beachside community. The last thing I would want to do is bother my neighbours with noise or activities that would require them to put on headphones. Yet, here is what I have had to contend with in the past few years: skateboarding in front of my house and into my driveway; playing basketball past 10 p. m.; dogs barking for hours and loud parties for young children that go on past dinnertime.
I would be mortified if I did anything that would make my neighbours think I was so inconsiderate. I chose a non barking breed of dog, and my two children never imposed on others’ space while still managing to have fun.
Noises are expected from gardeners, roofers and construction workers, but these are temporary. If anyone reads this and sees themselves, please remember that unless you live on a deserted island, being a good neighbour means respecting others, too.
Peaceful Neighbour
Dear Peaceful: You sound especially considerate, and unfortunately, a great many people are not. Too many folks think only of themselves without paying the slightest attention to behaviour that may be extremely annoying to the neighbours. We hope everyone who reads this will take a moment and consider whether they could be a little more thoughtful and kind to those around them.