“Life
Planning with Green River Cabins”
by Rose P.
Speece, ATP
I believe one of the greatest challenges that we face
in our everyday life is alternative living for an aging parent. Today’s
American family has changed. Our life styles won't permit us to accept the
responsibility that we owe to our parents. My family has had to plan
some major changes within the last year I would like to tell you about. My
father who is 88 has led an active life until recently. On May 22, 2003 he
fell breaking his upper right leg and was hospitalized for seven weeks.
Now not only did our family have obligations at work and home but also we had
the responsibility to help make a decision for Dad and his future.
I am thankful that over the past 27 years that my employer gave
me the opportunity to attend training sessions about Pre-Retirement and Life
Planning. This training has made the
transition for Dad worth while. Why? First
our family had the love and support from within a strong family unit.
My husband, brother and his wife, along with our children worked together
planning and giving Dad support to plan for his future.
As a World War II Veteran we made a pledge to Dad if my brother
and I were physically able, he would never have to live in a rest home.
We began to talk about the different alternatives: Building a room or two onto
our existing homes and let Dad live with me 6 months, then live with my brother
in Wilmington 6 months, but with his medical doctors located in Statesville we
decided he needed to live near me.
As we walked one Saturday morning in May 2002 Dad said,
“I’d live up here if I had me a little log cabin right here so I could see
you each day.” I told my husband and brother “we’ve got to
find something and get his approval while he was in the mood to move,” thus
started our search for “a little log cabin.”
In June 2002 we had located a one bedroom RV Cabin made of white pine.
Dad immediately fell in love with the cabin. Joe Hamlin, President/Manager
of Green River Cabins in Campobello, SC built the cabin. We looked at the
floor plans, had some modifications made for handicap living and last December
he moved in. Since his fall the only modification that we are making to
the cabin is to modify the 10’ porch for his caretaker's dayroom/bedroom.
Dad still has his independence, knowing that we live just a
few hundred feet away. We, his family, along with his caregivers are there
to lend support whether in outings, reminiscing about family and friends, while
letting Dad make decisions that encourage creativity and growth in his Senior
years. He has a REASON FOR BEING—A SENSE OF PURPOSE.
It would not have been possible if it hadn’t been for Joe Hamlin.
On behalf our families we thank you Joe Hamlin and Green River Cabins for
allowing Zeb Vance Patton to have an alternative to a meaningful daily life with
his family and friends. Please visit Green River Cabins at www.greenrivercabins.com
or call 1-864-457-2444 if you or someone you know wants to give a loved one a
choice.