I know just what you are going through. My parents have their own apartment in our basement, very nice place, I might add. My Dad is 87 and in better physical condition than I am. But his mind goes AWOL occassionly. This afternoon, while my Mom was napping and I was busy with my little grandson, Dad decided to go for a walk. It was 2 degrees outside and snowing hard. I didn't know he was missing until Mom woke up and told me. I bundled up and went looking for him. Found him two hours later, with his binoculars. He was "looking for terrorists". We live high in the Black Hills, some pretty rugged terrain and heavily forested. If it weren't for the snow tracks, and my ever faithful Husky, I may not have found him in time. Right now , he is drinking hot tea and trying to get warm. I think it's time to put some alarms on the doors so that I at least will know when he leaves. This is the second search for him that I have made in the past couple of weeks.
I love them both so very much and I will care for them as long as I can. I really hate the thought of a nursing home and my husband is a great help. Dad was a career Air Force officer. Was in the Philippines during WWII..........and a super father. Caring for him now is not only my duty, but my blessing.
You're right, I will not waste a moment not appreciating them, and loving every moment I have left with them.
Right you need some type of contact alarms so that either a sound or light or both comes on if Dad takes a walk again.
Thanks RR! Two brothers and a sister watch over my mother who is in a small "care center." She is well tended and happy there. She told me she misses her home (and I'm sure she does), but in her condition she cannot possibly be left alone. She does not want to come West to live and my siblings are not home to watch over her. I admire what you are doing for your parents. When we lived in Phoenix, we had a zone alarm that alerted when the patio door to the swimming pool was opened. Something like that may be the answer you seek!