Saturday, May 2, 2020
Final Update
Update to close the story of my mother. Mom has passed away. She was progressively worse over time, forgetting everyone and everything, including her own identity. Eventually, she began to stash food in her cheeks when she was being fed. One of those times, she inhaled her food and ended up with pneumonia from the inhalation. She passed from pneumonia in June of 2016. I will miss her.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
January starts a New Year
I haven't updated the blog in a while. There isn't really that much new to report.
Mom continues to slide into the Alzheimer's Disease fog. She is settled in to her new surroundings. She sleeps a lot during the day. She doesn't talk, but she will giggle sometimes. She does not know her own name, has little awareness of passing time, cannot follow a story, a TV show, or a game. Although she smiles in greeting when I walk through her door, she seems unaware of our relationship. If I ask her if she knows me, she smiles and shakes her head. No. Ah, well.
She wanders around at night, as she did when she was with us. She enters other residents rooms and tidies them up -- even at 3 am and sometimes she wakes the resident. The nurses say she is cheerful, but a handful with her wandering. She now has a night-owl roommate that clues the nursing staff in as soon as Mom goes off on an adventure -- so they can intervene before she has the entire floor awake. So far, they have not alarmed her bed, as they don't want her to just stay in bed 24/7. They have put an alarm anklet on her, so if she goes to the door or elevator or other "dangerous" area she sets off the alarm. Because she has swapped night and day, she dozes most of the day. She has to eat pureed foods now, as she can no longer remember to chew her food and chokes at the slightest provocation. So far, she can still feed herself. She cannot dress herself, and wears diapers.
Alzheimer's is such a nasty disease.
Mom continues to slide into the Alzheimer's Disease fog. She is settled in to her new surroundings. She sleeps a lot during the day. She doesn't talk, but she will giggle sometimes. She does not know her own name, has little awareness of passing time, cannot follow a story, a TV show, or a game. Although she smiles in greeting when I walk through her door, she seems unaware of our relationship. If I ask her if she knows me, she smiles and shakes her head. No. Ah, well.
She wanders around at night, as she did when she was with us. She enters other residents rooms and tidies them up -- even at 3 am and sometimes she wakes the resident. The nurses say she is cheerful, but a handful with her wandering. She now has a night-owl roommate that clues the nursing staff in as soon as Mom goes off on an adventure -- so they can intervene before she has the entire floor awake. So far, they have not alarmed her bed, as they don't want her to just stay in bed 24/7. They have put an alarm anklet on her, so if she goes to the door or elevator or other "dangerous" area she sets off the alarm. Because she has swapped night and day, she dozes most of the day. She has to eat pureed foods now, as she can no longer remember to chew her food and chokes at the slightest provocation. So far, she can still feed herself. She cannot dress herself, and wears diapers.
Alzheimer's is such a nasty disease.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Mom is Doing Great!
Mom has been living in the Nursing Home for nearly two months, and she seems to have really improved. She is HAPPY, and that makes me happy.
There is so much for her to do there! She is always surrounded by people, and that is really good for her. She goes to the various activities, and even if she does not always actively participate, she is there, and surrounded by others who are having fun, and it stimulates her to be more active. I was amazed to discover that she actually won a prize at Bingo. She is talking a little now -- a few words here and there -- and seems so much more alert than before. I am sure that it is a direct result of all the activity surrounding her. She had always been highly resistant to any organized activities, and had flown into terrible temper tantrums if I even suggested visiting the local senior center. What a change!
The staff members are really very nice and so are the other residents. All the residents I've spoken with are delighted to be where they are, and love the place. My Mom's roommate has been there three years, and says it is the nicest place she has ever been. She is the same age as Mom, and is very active -- despite being confined to her wheelchair.
Mom recently changed rooms and is now on the 2nd floor. She still wanders, but they have an alarm system and Mom wears an anklet that sets off the alarm if she tries to go into the elevator or off the floor. They are very aware of the various needs of dementia patients, and actually have some special activities planned for the late afternoon "sundowning" times, when many Alzheimer's patients seem to have greater confusion and disorientation periods.
There is so much for her to do there! She is always surrounded by people, and that is really good for her. She goes to the various activities, and even if she does not always actively participate, she is there, and surrounded by others who are having fun, and it stimulates her to be more active. I was amazed to discover that she actually won a prize at Bingo. She is talking a little now -- a few words here and there -- and seems so much more alert than before. I am sure that it is a direct result of all the activity surrounding her. She had always been highly resistant to any organized activities, and had flown into terrible temper tantrums if I even suggested visiting the local senior center. What a change!
The staff members are really very nice and so are the other residents. All the residents I've spoken with are delighted to be where they are, and love the place. My Mom's roommate has been there three years, and says it is the nicest place she has ever been. She is the same age as Mom, and is very active -- despite being confined to her wheelchair.
Mom recently changed rooms and is now on the 2nd floor. She still wanders, but they have an alarm system and Mom wears an anklet that sets off the alarm if she tries to go into the elevator or off the floor. They are very aware of the various needs of dementia patients, and actually have some special activities planned for the late afternoon "sundowning" times, when many Alzheimer's patients seem to have greater confusion and disorientation periods.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
From Rehab to the Nursing Home
After a couple of weeks having Mom in the Rehab Center, we have made a decision to transfer Mom from Rehab to the Resident portion of the Home.
Although she can now slowly walk with the aid of a walker, she still has problems with her balance. She can still feed herself, but now has to have soft, pureed foods. She is totally incontinent, as she was here. They have done some profiling on her and determined that she is entering the severe stage of Alzheimer's Disease. She almost never speaks, then only one syllable words or sounds. She needs cues for every activity. Someone sits with her to remind her how to eat. She does not understand the nurse call button, despite frequent reminders from the staff and from me. She no longer knows my name, and only twice in the last month has she had any idea of who I am. She does not know my husband (of nearly 50 years) at all.
My goals in all of this are pretty simple. I want her to be safe and happy.
She is safer there than she could ever be here, with just me to watch out for her. She still wanders around all night, but with the 24-hour staffing, and no stairs, that is not a danger for her. Here, there are stairs everywhere.
She seems to be quite happy there, too. She has always been very extroverted and loves to be around people. There are lots of things going on around her, and although she no longer speaks more than a few words a day, she can watch and enjoy the hustle-bustle of the nurses, therapists, and other residents. There are lots of daily activities, and she enjoys observing, if not participating in, everything from bingo to crafts to concerts. She is always wearing a smile and the nurses report that she loves ice cream (which I've known for years!).
I've start completing all the necessary paperwork -- a mountain of forms and information to complete and compile.
The house is quiet at night, and I am finally catching up on some much-needed rest. The first night she was in the hospital, and the next day, I slept nearly 36 hours straight and still wanted more. Two years of sleeping day-after-day getting only 20-minute catnaps (adding up to less than 3 hours a night) were taking a toll on me and I was losing my own health. Even after more than two weeks of full nights, I'm still tired enough to want to sleep 11 hours a day. But my energy and zest for life are returning and I will soon be back to my pre-caregiver health.
Although she can now slowly walk with the aid of a walker, she still has problems with her balance. She can still feed herself, but now has to have soft, pureed foods. She is totally incontinent, as she was here. They have done some profiling on her and determined that she is entering the severe stage of Alzheimer's Disease. She almost never speaks, then only one syllable words or sounds. She needs cues for every activity. Someone sits with her to remind her how to eat. She does not understand the nurse call button, despite frequent reminders from the staff and from me. She no longer knows my name, and only twice in the last month has she had any idea of who I am. She does not know my husband (of nearly 50 years) at all.
My goals in all of this are pretty simple. I want her to be safe and happy.
She is safer there than she could ever be here, with just me to watch out for her. She still wanders around all night, but with the 24-hour staffing, and no stairs, that is not a danger for her. Here, there are stairs everywhere.
She seems to be quite happy there, too. She has always been very extroverted and loves to be around people. There are lots of things going on around her, and although she no longer speaks more than a few words a day, she can watch and enjoy the hustle-bustle of the nurses, therapists, and other residents. There are lots of daily activities, and she enjoys observing, if not participating in, everything from bingo to crafts to concerts. She is always wearing a smile and the nurses report that she loves ice cream (which I've known for years!).
I've start completing all the necessary paperwork -- a mountain of forms and information to complete and compile.
The house is quiet at night, and I am finally catching up on some much-needed rest. The first night she was in the hospital, and the next day, I slept nearly 36 hours straight and still wanted more. Two years of sleeping day-after-day getting only 20-minute catnaps (adding up to less than 3 hours a night) were taking a toll on me and I was losing my own health. Even after more than two weeks of full nights, I'm still tired enough to want to sleep 11 hours a day. But my energy and zest for life are returning and I will soon be back to my pre-caregiver health.
Friday, March 15, 2013
The Fall
Last Saturday evening, Mom fell in her bedroom. She wasn't able to tell anyone if/where she hurt, so the ambulance staff put her on a backboard and stabilized her neck just in case. After a slew of tests, the medical staff determined that she wasn't injured, but they discovered she had a kidney infection and kept her for a few days to treat it with IV antibiotics. She was released on Tuesday, and within an hour of the release, fell again. She was extremely unstable and kept lurching into the wall as she walked. I had to support her every step of the way. As she got to the top of the stairs, she just stopped and could not go on. I had been right behind her, holding her up for each step, but I'm not strong enough to carry her up the stairs. At the top of the stairs she sank forward onto her knees and was not willing or able to get up. Once again the EMTs came it took four of them to get her to her room, and we determined that she needed to go back into care. Again, she was uninjured, but terribly weak, essentially unable to move at all.
She is now in a Rehab Center to regain strength/mobility and, while there, try to recapture some basic skills, such as talking and eating on her own. We expect her to be there for a couple of weeks, until she can come home safely.
The staff members at the rehab center are very nice, and wonderful with the patients. Wednesday when I visited her, the Speech Therapist was working with mom, who has a great deal of difficulty in communication with anyone. Later, the Occupational Therapist came in for her visit. Each day, Mom will have sessions with Speech, Occupational and Physical Therapists. Yesterday during my visit, the activity center had a pianist playing for the patients for an hour in the afternoon. Mom enjoyed the concert.
She is now in a Rehab Center to regain strength/mobility and, while there, try to recapture some basic skills, such as talking and eating on her own. We expect her to be there for a couple of weeks, until she can come home safely.
The staff members at the rehab center are very nice, and wonderful with the patients. Wednesday when I visited her, the Speech Therapist was working with mom, who has a great deal of difficulty in communication with anyone. Later, the Occupational Therapist came in for her visit. Each day, Mom will have sessions with Speech, Occupational and Physical Therapists. Yesterday during my visit, the activity center had a pianist playing for the patients for an hour in the afternoon. Mom enjoyed the concert.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
The Night Watch Goes On
Mom still wanders around during the night. She still gets up around 11 pm and wanders out of her room and all over the house, talking and opening/closing doors, until around 4 am. She is totally unaware of this behavior.
The doors are alarmed, and the alarms make it possible for me to catnap during the night, because if she tries to go out, rather than just troll the hallways, the alarm will wake me.
We have security cams operating all the time, so we can easily catch up with her if she actually goes outside. Mostly, she just opens the front door and looks outside, then goes back to her room. Leaving the front door wide open.
Although that lets the heat out for a minute, we just get up, shut the door and that's that. Lately, however, a new concern has arisen.
The Bear. There is a large bear wandering around and we have found tracks just a couple of feet from the front door. He/she has been on the porch. The bear is large enough to reach 8 feet into the air and remove our suet feeders. Large enough to be a threat to a rather frail old lady. Curious enough to come into the house through the left-open door if he/she smells food. Dangerous enough that I don't want to be face-to-face with an annoyed bear at 2 am!
I think my catnaps at night have just ended. At least, until we can come up with yet another type of lock that she cannot reach or work, and the pressure-sensitive, alarm-sounding floor mat for the hallway arrives and is installed.
The doors are alarmed, and the alarms make it possible for me to catnap during the night, because if she tries to go out, rather than just troll the hallways, the alarm will wake me.
We have security cams operating all the time, so we can easily catch up with her if she actually goes outside. Mostly, she just opens the front door and looks outside, then goes back to her room. Leaving the front door wide open.
Although that lets the heat out for a minute, we just get up, shut the door and that's that. Lately, however, a new concern has arisen.
The Bear. There is a large bear wandering around and we have found tracks just a couple of feet from the front door. He/she has been on the porch. The bear is large enough to reach 8 feet into the air and remove our suet feeders. Large enough to be a threat to a rather frail old lady. Curious enough to come into the house through the left-open door if he/she smells food. Dangerous enough that I don't want to be face-to-face with an annoyed bear at 2 am!
I think my catnaps at night have just ended. At least, until we can come up with yet another type of lock that she cannot reach or work, and the pressure-sensitive, alarm-sounding floor mat for the hallway arrives and is installed.
The Tooth Fairy Doesn't Come Here
I do wish the Tooth Fairy would visit here and give me a hand. Mom keeps losing her teeth...well, maybe losing is not the right word...her teeth keep disappearing and she claims to know nothing about it.
Mind you, she does not brush her teeth. Or wash her hands. Or anything else. The Home Health Aide and I force those actions. Three times a week, the Aide comes and gives Mom a shower, shampoo, and tends to all those grooming needs. The other four days, I do everything but the shower and the shampoo. I do a sponge bath when needed and the hands, face, and oversee the toothbrush exercise. She doesn't care if nothing is cleaned. It is too much effort, and she can't see the usefulness of it.
The dentist says the removable bridge is a perfect fit. She seems not to be aware of it at all. So why do I find it in the trash can, all wrapped in a tissue every so often? She doesn't miss it and is not even aware of it being out of her mouth.
I can't empty the trash without first checking to see if she has her teeth in.
I wonder if there is a tooth-worthy super glue somewhere in Tooth Fairy land...it would sure come in handy!
Mind you, she does not brush her teeth. Or wash her hands. Or anything else. The Home Health Aide and I force those actions. Three times a week, the Aide comes and gives Mom a shower, shampoo, and tends to all those grooming needs. The other four days, I do everything but the shower and the shampoo. I do a sponge bath when needed and the hands, face, and oversee the toothbrush exercise. She doesn't care if nothing is cleaned. It is too much effort, and she can't see the usefulness of it.
The dentist says the removable bridge is a perfect fit. She seems not to be aware of it at all. So why do I find it in the trash can, all wrapped in a tissue every so often? She doesn't miss it and is not even aware of it being out of her mouth.
I can't empty the trash without first checking to see if she has her teeth in.
I wonder if there is a tooth-worthy super glue somewhere in Tooth Fairy land...it would sure come in handy!
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