Best wishes with this Maemae,it may not turn out as bad as you think. Don't mean to preach but we had a similar situation with someone and it nearly breaks your heart but you have to consider other family members as well.
My DH came up with these from ebay to keep my perle threads on and they work great, the flat edge is big enough to write on and they are smooth so don't snag. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-pack-M16-x-30-x-3mm-THK-Nylon-Washers-HEAT-TREATED-/140393397263?pt=UK_DIY_Material_Nails_Fixing_MJ&hash=ite...