Older parents-WWYD?

**Buzzworthy** · 08-22-2024, 05:21 PM

Get an email today from Dad asking myself, wife and daughter to download the Signal app immediately "just in case" the internet goes out. Couple of weeks ago, got an email from my Dad about the stock market and to move some things in a few accounts to cash "just in case".

Of course I ask him what he has been reading lately to all of a sudden send today's email. He said "well if you don't want to that's fine. I’m just told that if the worldwide internet goes out the military will texting/messaging through equipment they are in control of. And that Signal does not need a server to operate."

People smarter than I, what do you make of this? Cause I'm at a loss currently.

**Touring_Sedan** · 08-22-2024, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by Buzzworthy

Get an email today from Dad asking myself, wife and daughter to download the Signal app immediately "just in case" the internet goes out. Couple of weeks ago, got an email from my Dad about the stock market and to move some things in a few accounts to cash "just in case".

Of course I ask him what he has been reading lately to all of a sudden send today's email. He said "well if you don't want to that's fine. I’m just told that if the worldwide internet goes out the military will texting/messaging through equipment they are in control of. And that Signal does not need a server to operate."

People smarter than I, what do you make of this? Cause I'm at a loss currently.

Signal still needs a data connection. Let's be honest, if "the internet" isn't reachable, it's likely your data connection is not going to work either.

**Danno** · 08-22-2024, 05:48 PM

Signal is just WhatsApp but not owned by Zuck.

**riser4** · 08-22-2024, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by Buzzworthy

Get an email today from Dad asking myself, wife and daughter to download the Signal app immediately "just in case" the internet goes out. Couple of weeks ago, got an email from my Dad about the stock market and to move some things in a few accounts to cash "just in case".

Of course I ask him what he has been reading lately to all of a sudden send today's email. He said "well if you don't want to that's fine. I’m just told that if the worldwide internet goes out the military will texting/messaging through equipment they are in control of. And that Signal does not need a server to operate."

People smarter than I, what do you make of this? Cause I'm at a loss currently.

No offense intended, your dad is acting a little nutty.

**Ted Striker** · 08-22-2024, 06:50 PM

There was a theory floating around a year (or two) ago that solar activity was going to take the internet out. There's also the reality that we're currently in a solar storm event that is expected to peak some time in 2025. So maybe that?

PB · 08-22-2024, 07:19 PM

How old is your Dad and what's his medical history?

**m2711c** · 08-22-2024, 07:19 PM

never forget y2k…

**Buzzworthy** · 08-22-2024, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by Touring_Sedan

Signal still needs a data connection. Let's be honest, if "the internet" isn't reachable, it's likely your data connection is not going to work either.

I face palmed so hard I may look like a 50's housewife at work tomorrow.

**Buzzworthy** · 08-22-2024, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by riser4

No offense intended, your dad is acting a little nutty.

I fucking know and I am wondering if things are ok down in AZ.

**Buzzworthy** · 08-22-2024, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by PB

How old is your Dad and what's his medical history?

Late 70s. Not bad but like anyone that age has a chart, with a few majors listed. My parents are at the age they shield me from anything going wrong with them now. I tried to go down there a few months ago to visit and my mom said she was not up to it. I believe she is ready to call it a good life. She seems incredibly bored.My mom has also commented to my wife she is worried about my dad's memory. I am worried about both of their memories and more the cognitive decline I have noticed over the last 2 years. They don't go out much. Dad golfs at least once a week but that is it. Mom does nothing that I am aware of. Used to quilt but her hands aren't great anymore. She scrolls Facebook.

This is hard. Lost my mom in law in February. I see a lot of similarities life span wise with my parents.

PB · 08-23-2024, 09:32 AM

Yeah, sounds not good. Any chance of getting them in senior facility with activities and lots of people to interact with?
If you have any siblings, maybe get together to make plans for what's coming down the road?

**Cisco Kid** · 08-23-2024, 10:00 AM

As someone your parents age, I see a lot of similarities. I should probably start going to the Silver Sneakers. And I was were you are 15 years ago with my dad, telling him to exercise and eat right. He believed that "We all gotta go sometime".

**riser4** · 08-23-2024, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by Buzzworthy

I fucking know and I am wondering if things are ok down in AZ.

Must be the drinking water.

**LeeLau** · 08-31-2024, 09:19 AM

My Dad just passed. It hurts a lot even though we knew he was getting close. He had a good life, he passed at home where he wanted to be. Ironically he was getting so frail that just 2 weeks ago we started the process of getting him to long term care so that my Mum (the caregiver) wouldn't herself get injured trying to help Dad.

Before we started the process of putting Dad into LTC myself and my brother/sister put together a list of public resources for senior care. It's highly Canada/BC specific and very regional for SW BC. I scrubbed out personal info but can email it to anyone who may find it useful. You can PM for this

**Meadow Skipper** · 08-31-2024, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by LeeLau

My Dad just passed. It hurts a lot even though we knew he was getting close. He had a good life, he passed at home where he wanted to be. Ironically he was getting so frail that just 2 weeks ago we started the process of getting him to long term care so that my Mum (the caregiver) wouldn't herself get injured trying to help Dad.

My sincere condolences. It sounds like you did the very best for him.

**BCMtnHound** · 08-31-2024, 09:34 AM

So sorry for your loss LeeLau. Glad to hear your father was able to leave this life on his own terms.

**goldenboy** · 08-31-2024, 09:34 AM

Sorry LL!

My mom will be moving into unassisted living home next month. It's a good thing. She's doing great but also getting up there in age. And she's been more isolated than any of us would like her to be since my dad passed in 2010. I'm hoping she can make some friends or at least get involved with some of the classes and events they have.

**XXX-er** · 08-31-2024, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by LeeLau

My Dad just passed. It hurts a lot even though we knew he was getting close. He had a good life, he passed at home where he wanted to be. Ironically he was getting so frail that just 2 weeks ago we started the process of getting him to long term care so that my Mum (the caregiver) wouldn't herself get injured trying to help Dad.

Before we started the process of putting Dad into LTC myself and my brother/sister put together a list of public resources for senior care. It's highly Canada/BC specific and very regional for SW BC. I scrubbed out personal info but can email it to anyone who may find it useful. You can PM for this

Condolences Lee, how old was he, it did look like mom was the caregiver in the picts on FB

edit: seen it on FB, thats a pretty good run !

**XXX-er** · 08-31-2024, 10:08 AM

I forget where i read it but the blurb said an 80 yr old should not be in control of their own finances, I don't particularly want to at this point but I realize i will have to move closer to oldest son to make it easier for him to help me

**Buster Highmen** · 08-31-2024, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by LeeLau

My Dad just passed. It hurts a lot even though we knew he was getting close. He had a good life, he passed at home where he wanted to be. Ironically he was getting so frail that just 2 weeks ago we started the process of getting him to long term care so that my Mum (the caregiver) wouldn't herself get injured trying to help Dad.

Before we started the process of putting Dad into LTC myself and my brother/sister put together a list of public resources for senior care. It's highly Canada/BC specific and very regional for SW BC. I scrubbed out personal info but can email it to anyone who may find it useful. You can PM for this

Condolences, Lee.

**Buzzworthy** · 08-31-2024, 11:00 AM

So sorry Lee.

**Buzzworthy** · 10-25-2024, 07:26 PM

Text from dad this afternoon asking if I’m available to talk right now. Heart sank. Dad FaceTimed me and turn out is actually my sister. Kidney and liver failure, in the hospital. My mom also is about on kidney dialysis with the numbers she’s sporting lately as well. These kinds of days are quite difficult.