Wow sorry to hear about the bad news. I work in the utilities field, and have run across this problem before myself, ie gardens planted or extensive landscaping in our easements. It sounds like they are going to be replacing their gas lines. So the not so bad news is that unless there is some homeland security issue you'll be able to have your garden again after the work is done! Also as someone mentioned, if you politley and reasonably explain your situation to the crew doing the work, we will usually go out of our way to help you out...scraping your good garden soil up and off to the side out of our way, and then putting it back in place when we're done. Also while the situation does stink bear in mind that the crew doing the work is just a group of normal folks trying to make a living, and they had nothing to do with the situation. One other piece of advice, call the gas company and speak to them preferably whatever crew supervisor is doing the work(get a name first and last of the person you s/w) you may not have to move your whole garden...gas easements are huge...but if the main isn't deep they may only need you to move what you have thats within 5-10 feet of the pipe. My crew has worked many an hour of overtime, putting back someone's garden all because that person politely asked if we could help them out.

When my sister and I were dealing with our father long distance, she found a terrific book that we both bought and used: "How to Care for Aging Parents," by Virginia Morris. We were so lucky that he could afford caregivers at home and that we had wonderful contacts in the town where he lived (where we grew up). Here's another tip: call your local office of Council on Aging and ask to speak to a staff member. Those professionals are an incredible resource for all sorts of issues, including Medicare, Medicare Part D (the Medicare drug plan), plus lots of other problems you may have in dealing with elderly parents or other loved ones, whether around the corner or across the country.

Parkinson's patient need good sleep to have the energy to function the next day. She should also be safe. She therefore needs to be able to sleep in peace, other than diaper changes through the night, and giving her water to drink and if she is hungry a snack should also be given as long as she is able to sit upright in bed. do not pay attention to the day caregiver in this respect. however you can help by may be helping with some light housekeping or laundry which may unburden her a little. the patients care, welfare, and rest comes first and foremost. Trust me, an elderly person with Pd and limited mobility has enough to worry about. also get the family member invloved. hopefully she was not left all alone through the night before you came on board.

Oh Janie you sure have my sympathy I know exactly how you feel. In my case itâÂÂs my 91 year old father. He is driving me crazy itâÂÂs been 8 years to the day that my mother passed away and every year it gets worse. He still lives alone I know he is lonely but he has these panic attacks and obsesses on everything. In the winter itâÂÂs his health, its better than mine IâÂÂm almost 70, we go to doctor after doctor they never find anything wrong. The doctors give him medication he doesnâÂÂt need and all it does is make me spend the day in the emergency room with him. I donâÂÂt have a life anymore. His newest obsession is about money, he has a lot, itâÂÂs been in trusts for almost 30 years. My sister who has health issues want her inheritance now and I mean now! He has always been giving and gifts us the allowable amount every year but now she wants what is in the trust or maybe itâÂÂs her much younger husband that sees she may not out live him and wants the money comingled before her kids get it. Everyone, including my father, walks on egg shells around my sister. My brother is an alcoholic and is no use. Well IâÂÂm done walking on egg shells and am going to go ask her why she feels so entitled when she know very well that if I have to spend all his money he will be taken care of first. I do have all the powers, she actually accused me of trying to keep the money for myself, and she is that stupid that she doesnâÂÂt understand any of the trusts. We actually recorded every visit with the attorneys and I given copies to both my siblings but all she heard was I have the power! At this point I spend almost every day managing his affairs, driving his everywhere and endless phone calls. He was banging on my door this morning before I even brushed my teeth with more endless question that at this point I know he will never understand again. Someone, my brother-in-law ?, is giving him all this advice about what to do with real estate, bank accounts and personal property for what reason I havenâÂÂt figured out yet. Everyone in the family knows how the trusts are set up. God know every conversation I have had with my father for the past 8 years are about what to do after he dies. I would gladly give up all the money if he would just leave me alone. I guess I just needed to vent but I really do understand what you are going through when someone takes your life away and you feel powerless to do anything about it because itâÂÂs a person you are suppose to love and care about.