Dear friends and family, 

 I visited my parents this week. They now both appear to be in the moderate stage of Alzheimer's (even though delays in testing have meant that Dad's diagnosis is not official). This article is helpful in understanding symptoms and progression.

    7 stages of Alzheimer's: https://www.alzinfo.org/understand-alzheimers/clinical-stages-of-alzheimers/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-qe3juu63gIVQrbACh1KsQnwEAAYASAAEgKcjvD_BwE

    Good news, based on the article, they could be with us for at least another decade, and they should continue to recognize family for at least 5 more years and "be themselves" for longer than that. 

    Dad has worked hard to get the house in sellable condition over the last few years. He's ready to move into Assisted Living, but Mom wants to wait. Once they come to an agreement about that, they'll have a spot waiting for them in a nice community in Tallahassee. They are interested in reverse snowbirding, spending summers in a community here in Boulder. It would be wonderful if that arrangement comes to pass.

    In the meantime, Ashley and JoNetta are coordinating a big boost in in-home caregiving to improve their health and safety. They have long term care insurance that covers 24/7 in-home care. Financially, they are secure for the duration and their financial managers are very devoted to protecting their assets.

    I'll be sending another entry with ideas and information about how you can help support them, whether in town or far away. I will look forward to having many good times spent together with you, Mom and Dad over the next decade!

    Fondly,

    Sarah