Monday Memories With My Mom - PM Edition

The Adventures of Caring for a Mom With Alzheimer's Disease

     As you know, I've come to really like the activities director, Linda, at my mom's new nursing community.  It takes a really special person to work with and engage seniors with severe memory issues like my mom.  She is so kind and patient and sincerely cares for the residents. 

     On one of my visits with my kids over the summer, I asked my kids if maybe they would consider playing their instruments for the residents on my mom's floor.  I imagine the activities directors are always looking for something new and different to entertain the residents.  They agreed they would do it, so I asked Linda if she would be interested in having them.  She was excited at the prospect and we came up with a recent Sunday as one of the few days all of my kids were available.

     The afternoon of Sunday, October 19th we all headed over to hear the kids perform.  My kids were not thrilled that I wanted them to wear their marching band uniforms, but in the end they did as I know the residents were impressed and appreciated it.

      It was a beautiful Fall day....



 

 

The "musicians" arrived a few minutes early to set up... 

 

We tried to make it look like we had rehearsed this, but the truth is

we only ran through things a few minutes before we left...

Considering there are only about 20 residents on the floor, we had a pretty good turnout!

 

They played their fight song and several other songs from their halftime show of our high school football season.  It warmed my heart to see my kids doing their best to entertain the residents...   

 

It warmed my heart even more when my kids went around to each resident and chatted with them and let them check out the flute...

 

or the trumpet...

 

 

or clarinet...

and patiently answer the residents questions....

 

and, of course, pose for a picture with their Grandma!

and then one last encore performance of the Star Spangled Banner...

 

which moved one resident named Dallas to his feet!!!!!  (I think he was in the military!!)

 

 

     I was glad my mom had the opportunity to see her grand kids perform as she has not been able to make it to their concerts in recent years.  I think my kids also realized what a great thing they did -- giving some of their time to spread some joy!!!  My mom had a bit of a hard time keeping her eyes open during some of the music, but she did enjoy it and the attention from the other residents and staff about her grandchildren.  The activities director invited them back to play Christmas music in December.  I hope we can do it, but I know things will be incredibly busy for all of us.  We will definitely try to make it work!!

     In other news, my brother was able to deliver my mom's lift chair to the seating area on my mom's floor.  You may recall her first room was too small for her beloved chair, but I recently got the staff's approval to move it into the common seating area near the tv.  I bought a new cover for it, and I am hoping she will enjoy it as much as she used to!!!

     I'm going to visit tomorrow to see how my mom is doing and see if she still loves her chair... 

     As always, thanks for stopping by!!!