Around the Clock TLC

When my father was first diagnosed with a terminal illness, my sister and I shared the burden of taking care of him. As his disease progressed we knew it would eventually become impossible to keep providing him with what he needed. We both have children and husbands and jobs. He was reaching a point of requiring 24 hour care. It concerned us both that he would go into a facility that was more like home and less like a hospital, at least until that need arose. One of the facilities (homes) we visited was in Gilbert, Arizona, halfway between my house in Mesa and my sister's house in Phoenix, called Around the Clock. The name alone is what caused us to want to take a closer look because that is exactly what we were after, around the clock care for our ailing father. A really, really pretty house right on Blue Marlin drive in Gilbert. Well kept landscaping and tons of foliage, big green bushes and trees. Really, your typical home with home furnishings, blinds, decorations and residents actually sitting in the living room, enjoying the dining area. This is just a home. That I must make clear. It is literally a house. I did see about three residents watching television when we arrived, but they seemed happy to be doing so. They all turned when my sister and I came in but no one really said too much. Everyone did seem to be "at home" but at the same time, I couldn't really picture my father staying here. I felt he needed more "one on one" care as his disease was a pulmonary disease and he needed assistance with almost every aspect of his daily life. The owner/operator did seem like a super sweet and compassionate lady but my father required more than this home could provide. This is one of your basic needs homes, meals, medication, laundry etc. A pretty home just not for us.