Elderly Care for My Father
My father, who recently had a bad fall, doesn't have anyone to take care of him. I don't know what to do.
"who recently had a ball fall" is a non-defining relative clause. We know who the "My father" is even if you don't say "who recently had a bad fall". "My father doesn't have anyone to take care of him" (without the relative clause) is also understandable, so the relative clause is extra information.
Note, there is always a comma (,) before a non-defining relative clause.
Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. But I remember it's your mom who usually needs your help, right?
"who usually needs your help" is a defining relative clause. It's important information. If you just say, "it's your mom", I wouldn't know what you are trying to say.
That's right. And that’s the problem. My mom, who is pushing 80, completely relies on me for her [vocab word=daily]daily[/vocab] tasks.
"who is pushing 80" means she is almost 80. This is a non-defining relative clause because it's extra information. You can say "My mom completely relies on me for her daily tasks" and I would understand you perfectly.
I remember they don't live together.
Yes. They’ve been [vocab word=divorce]divorced[/vocab] for more than 10 years.
Can your dad [vocab word=move in with]move in with[/vocab] you?
To "move in with" someone means to start living with someone in the same home.
That’s going to be tough. My husband, who isn't really [vocab word=be fond of]fond of[/vocab] my father, would never agree with that kind of [vocab word=living arrangement]living arrangement[/vocab].
"It is tough" means "It is difficult". "who isn't really fond of my father" is a non-defining relative clause. It's extra information about "my husband".
Why doesn't your husband like your father?
My father is, ... how should I put it ..., quite "traditional".
"traditional" means the father likes old ideas, old ways of doing things. So, he probably doesn't like that Orson has a husband, not a wife.
Oh, I understand. Have you considered looking for professional help?
I did consider that, but the costs are a factor that's difficult for me to ignore.
I guess it's a [vocab word=tricky]tricky[/vocab] situation. Well, have you spoken to your father? He is the person who [vocab word=ultimately]ultimately[/vocab] has to be comfortable with the decision you make.
"who has to be comfortable with ..." is a defining relative clause. It's important information about "the person". You cannot just say, "He is the person."
Yes, Yes, you're right... I’ve spoken to him about it once, but he doesn’t want any help. He’s always been independent.
People who value their [vocab word=independence]independence[/vocab] usually refuse help from other people at first. If your father really needs help, you have to talk to him many times.
Some people like to be independent. When other people say they want to help, they might say No at first.
Okay, I’ll try. I'm also trying to make sure my mother, who is old and [vocab word=needy]needy[/vocab], doesn't feel [vocab word=neglected]neglected[/vocab].
To "neglect" someone means you don't take care of him/her.
Maybe, just maybe, you could look into [vocab word=assisted living facility]assisted living facilities[/vocab]?
An assisted living facility is a living facility (place to live) that assists (helps) old people or people with disability.
Yeah, maybe. That's a decision that would need my father's [vocab word=approval]approval[/vocab]. The cost will be a problem, too.
If your father does need an assisted living facility, Sunset Meadows might be a good option. Sunset Meadows, which is run by experienced [vocab word=nurse]nurses[/vocab], has a really good [vocab word=reputation]reputation[/vocab] and is close to your home.
"which is run by experienced nurses" is a non-defining relative clause. It's extra information about "Sunset Meadows" (an assisted living facility).
Okay, I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the recommendation.
Not a problem. My mom, who turns 76 this year, lives in that assisted living facility. She loves her [vocab word=residence]residence[/vocab] and people who run the facility. They respect her independence.
Oh, nice. An assisted living facility is starting to sound like a good idea.
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