When I first met my future mother-in-law, Imogene, I was her son Bill’s “girl” she was living in an independent living facility in Abilene, Texas in her own apartment and was fairly mobile. At that time Imogene enjoyed many of the activities provided by the facility.

While living in Abilene, Imogene suffered a fractured finger and stitches in her head from two separate falls. When she decided she wanted to be closer to her grandchildren and great grand-children she moved to Richardson, Texas, into an combination independent-assisted living facility where she could receive more care. By that time she had begun using a walker.

The falling episodes continued and were very frightening, both to Imogene and to her family. It became evident that another long-term solution was needed. Imogene and the family decided on another independent/assisted living facility. Imogene was becoming less mobile and was very lucky her falling injuries were minor. That was soon to change.

The family wanted Imogene to have more care but, understandably, she wanted her independence, and her situation became a difficult balancing act. The family was trying to keep her safe while still honoring her request for a semi-independent arrangement. Meanwhile, I was no longer Bill’s “girl”. I was now his wife and Imogene and I had loved each other from the start. Now she was “Ma” to me.

As Imogene became less mobile and had more frequent falls it became apparent to us for her own safety she needed more care. With this in mind, she was moved to a full assisted living facility and although she was now using a walker, the falls continued. The dilemma we faced: in a large care facility there is usually ONE hands on caregiver for every FIFTEEN TO EIGHTEEN or more residents. One caregiver, no matter how fast and efficient, can not care for the needs of that many elderly people.

During this time, Imogene had to be placed in four weeks of very costly rehab after a bad fall in her bathroom and then having to lie on the floor for hours until she was discovered. She did not want to go into a nursing home and she did not need 24 hour nursing care. We were now compelled to take further precautionary steps which included a wheelchair instead of a walker to help keep her as safe as possible.

As you can see below …

This was in rehab following her worst fall. She suffered a fractured nose and dislocated jaw, but look at her resilience and her SMILE!!! Bill took this photo in the emergency room at the hospital. The family expressed their deep concern about her condition and her response was, “what are you all upset about, I’m just fine” ….. that’s our Imogene!She’s a Great Depression era survivor who was married for 56 years, raised 5 boys, and received her Masters Degree at the age of 60. She deserves to be honored! Imogene was excited to be a resident of Assisted Living by Covenant House. She peacefully relocated to Heaven onMarch 1, 2016. Her last days at Covenant House were joy-filled, blessed and happy! Covenant House is now part of the legacy she leaves behind.