Sunday, August 7, 2011
Dad in Hospital (briefly?)
Friday, Dad was admitted to the hospital because he was having some chest pain. They said his heart looks fine and he has had a flare-up of his COPD. They've been giving him some steroids and he is on oxygen. We saw him today, and he is feeling good. Sounds like there is a good chance he will be able to leave the hospital tomorrow.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Mom and Dad Together Again!
There has been more action since my last report. As reported by Liz, who has been wonderful in handling all this:
First, last week they moved Mom to a room closer to the nurse's station so that they could keep an eye her. She had "eloped" again - went to a music program in the independent-living area without telling anyone, let alone taking the required escort. They also asked if we could have a hired aide accompany her from 6-7PM daily, since that is an important hour in her daily routine, when she wants to leave dinner, go back to her room to get changed for bed and watch the PBS news. Unfortunately, the other aides are still helping others finish their dinners and other tasks that occur right at that time. Mom is impatient and has just walked back to her room by herself (and had a fall in her room then). Anyway, she now has an aide at that hour.
Then today they called to say that Mom's new room isn't working out. There is some conflict between the two roommates' TV remotes (Nancy called it "dueling remotes"), and also Mom's roommate is apparently bothered by the alarm that goes off when Mom gets up without assistance. (I'm guessing that means that Mom does that too often.) Anyway, the good news is that they want to move both Mom and Dad into a different room, #19, today sometime. I expressed that I don't want Mom to think this means they are aiming for her to be a permanent resident in the skilled nursing area, and Nancy was reassuring. This room is also under the care of Dad's usual nurse, Sophie, who is wonderful - and Dad won't have to adjust to a new nurse. Sophie will now have to adjust to caring for Mom! Mom will have the bed by the door, and Dad the one by the window. If Mom moves back to assisted living , Dad will have gained a window bed (which I think is nicer). He will then get a random roommate, but I don't think that should be a problem, judging by the current residents, who all seem pretty nice. More important, Dad is not in his room during the day anyway. Besides, (don't want to jinx her by saying this) Mom may be a while before enough safety and medical issues are sufficiently resolved that they will allow her back to assisted living, if ever.
I assume they will transfer her phone number as before, and they are going to bring Dad's dresser back from Oakbridge (where they moved it so I could fix the leg - which is done). I'll look at hanging some pictures, etc. when I go down next (probably tomorrow). Dad's phone should also be transferred, which won't affect anyone since you can't get him on the phone anyway. We'll have to see whether their activities change at all once they're living together again. I sort of don't expect any changes that way.
I ordered Dad some soled slippers with velcro closures, which should come in tomorrow or so. I know Dorrie knows about this, but I can't remember if I told the rest of you - Dad has a small sore on his toe, which is taking a while healing, and his feet have been swollen, so the podiatrist ordered that he not wear shoes until it's healed. Dor has been taking him to church in his slipper-socks, which has presented no problem as long as the weather is warm. I brought both of them to see Dorrie in "The King and I" at the theater in Shannondell (home to the King of Prussia players) last Saturday (Dad in his slipper-socks), which they enjoyed very much, but not as much as I did!! Oh, it was so well done! Gary's parents came down for the show, and Lizzer was up from DC also.
I forgot to say that I think Mom is tolerating the medicine buildup (increasing by one more pill will reach full dose). I haven't heard of any blood pressure drops. Keep your fingers crossed. I think she is moving better, more smoothly, with less-noticeable freeze-ups (and shorter). But sometimes the improvement seems erratic. Also, I am not convinced that this improvement in movement will actually change her risk of falls. Willowbrooke seem of the opinion that she is not capable of good safety judgement. I know she doesn't act in a safe manner, but I can't tell whether it's a mental incapacity or hardheadedness (and not accepting her own limitations). Gary says that she's just so darned logical (and knows it) that if you can't trump her logic or show her the flaws, then she won't really believe you. As Mom would say, "I wouldn't be surprised."
One other little thing (Rick speaking again): MB, Josh, Lauren, and I got down to have dinner with M&D the weekend before last. It was very nice and M&D were in good spirits. Dad was also looking like he's put some meat on his bones. Seems to be eating much better -- even ate the pureed fish! Amazing since he never used to eat any fish. Asked Mom about her falls. Was kind of wondering whether she was still falling backwards as before or it the falling was different now that she had the walker. So I asked, "Mom, which way are you falling?" Her answer, of course, "Down."
First, last week they moved Mom to a room closer to the nurse's station so that they could keep an eye her. She had "eloped" again - went to a music program in the independent-living area without telling anyone, let alone taking the required escort. They also asked if we could have a hired aide accompany her from 6-7PM daily, since that is an important hour in her daily routine, when she wants to leave dinner, go back to her room to get changed for bed and watch the PBS news. Unfortunately, the other aides are still helping others finish their dinners and other tasks that occur right at that time. Mom is impatient and has just walked back to her room by herself (and had a fall in her room then). Anyway, she now has an aide at that hour.
Then today they called to say that Mom's new room isn't working out. There is some conflict between the two roommates' TV remotes (Nancy called it "dueling remotes"), and also Mom's roommate is apparently bothered by the alarm that goes off when Mom gets up without assistance. (I'm guessing that means that Mom does that too often.) Anyway, the good news is that they want to move both Mom and Dad into a different room, #19, today sometime. I expressed that I don't want Mom to think this means they are aiming for her to be a permanent resident in the skilled nursing area, and Nancy was reassuring. This room is also under the care of Dad's usual nurse, Sophie, who is wonderful - and Dad won't have to adjust to a new nurse. Sophie will now have to adjust to caring for Mom! Mom will have the bed by the door, and Dad the one by the window. If Mom moves back to assisted living , Dad will have gained a window bed (which I think is nicer). He will then get a random roommate, but I don't think that should be a problem, judging by the current residents, who all seem pretty nice. More important, Dad is not in his room during the day anyway. Besides, (don't want to jinx her by saying this) Mom may be a while before enough safety and medical issues are sufficiently resolved that they will allow her back to assisted living, if ever.
I assume they will transfer her phone number as before, and they are going to bring Dad's dresser back from Oakbridge (where they moved it so I could fix the leg - which is done). I'll look at hanging some pictures, etc. when I go down next (probably tomorrow). Dad's phone should also be transferred, which won't affect anyone since you can't get him on the phone anyway. We'll have to see whether their activities change at all once they're living together again. I sort of don't expect any changes that way.
I ordered Dad some soled slippers with velcro closures, which should come in tomorrow or so. I know Dorrie knows about this, but I can't remember if I told the rest of you - Dad has a small sore on his toe, which is taking a while healing, and his feet have been swollen, so the podiatrist ordered that he not wear shoes until it's healed. Dor has been taking him to church in his slipper-socks, which has presented no problem as long as the weather is warm. I brought both of them to see Dorrie in "The King and I" at the theater in Shannondell (home to the King of Prussia players) last Saturday (Dad in his slipper-socks), which they enjoyed very much, but not as much as I did!! Oh, it was so well done! Gary's parents came down for the show, and Lizzer was up from DC also.
I forgot to say that I think Mom is tolerating the medicine buildup (increasing by one more pill will reach full dose). I haven't heard of any blood pressure drops. Keep your fingers crossed. I think she is moving better, more smoothly, with less-noticeable freeze-ups (and shorter). But sometimes the improvement seems erratic. Also, I am not convinced that this improvement in movement will actually change her risk of falls. Willowbrooke seem of the opinion that she is not capable of good safety judgement. I know she doesn't act in a safe manner, but I can't tell whether it's a mental incapacity or hardheadedness (and not accepting her own limitations). Gary says that she's just so darned logical (and knows it) that if you can't trump her logic or show her the flaws, then she won't really believe you. As Mom would say, "I wouldn't be surprised."
One other little thing (Rick speaking again): MB, Josh, Lauren, and I got down to have dinner with M&D the weekend before last. It was very nice and M&D were in good spirits. Dad was also looking like he's put some meat on his bones. Seems to be eating much better -- even ate the pureed fish! Amazing since he never used to eat any fish. Asked Mom about her falls. Was kind of wondering whether she was still falling backwards as before or it the falling was different now that she had the walker. So I asked, "Mom, which way are you falling?" Her answer, of course, "Down."
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