The Adventures of Caring for a Mom With Alzheimer's Disease
As Thanksgiving nears, there continues to be much to be thankful for!!! This past year has been one of peace for my mom. In fact, thanks to the "Timehop" app, I realized it was a year ago today that my mom was hospitalized for a week (you can read more about that HERE). The good news is that made me realize we have gone a full year without any further hospitalizations. Also, there have been no significant changes in my mom's health. She seems content and at peace with her current living situation in the memory care unit of her skilled nursing community. The staff often shares stories with me on things my mom has said and done and all of them continue to tell me how they love her sense of humor!!! For this, I am grateful as I think most of you know there were times I was unsure that my mom would make this adjustment.
With my mom safe, content and at peace, it has also allowed me more time to spend with my kids and family these last few months...
A visit with my mother-in-law two days before my daughter's high school commencement. It was sad for me to realize my mom would be unable to attend, as I know she would have loved to.
As Thanksgiving nears, there continues to be much to be thankful for!!! This past year has been one of peace for my mom. In fact, thanks to the "Timehop" app, I realized it was a year ago today that my mom was hospitalized for a week (you can read more about that HERE). The good news is that made me realize we have gone a full year without any further hospitalizations. Also, there have been no significant changes in my mom's health. She seems content and at peace with her current living situation in the memory care unit of her skilled nursing community. The staff often shares stories with me on things my mom has said and done and all of them continue to tell me how they love her sense of humor!!! For this, I am grateful as I think most of you know there were times I was unsure that my mom would make this adjustment.
With my mom safe, content and at peace, it has also allowed me more time to spend with my kids and family these last few months...
A visit with my mother-in-law two days before my daughter's high school commencement. It was sad for me to realize my mom would be unable to attend, as I know she would have loved to.
May 29, 2015
So.....we brought the commencement to my mom by doing a big family photo shoot with my my mom. She had two grandchildren who both graduated from high school!!
June 28, 2015
A visit with the daughters right before Megan (left) headed to Germany for a month.
June 25, 2015
I loved this day as it was my mom's one year anniversary of living at Canterbury on the Lake!!! (You can see more about her move HERE.) We had fun as there was also a "Happy Hour" celebration with singing, snacks and smoothies which my mom loved!!!.
July 2, 2015
Granddaughter Kristin is a natural at caring for my mom.
In fact, she now works in another assisted living community where she is a server
in their dining room!!
August 17, 2015
Jacob was due for a visit!!! He drove to see Grandma fresh from the Secretary of State office where he had just received his driver's learning permit!!!! Good news -- we made it!!!!!
September 4, 2015
My mom was also thrilled to receive a card from her cousin Karen from Muskegon!!!
Card from Cousin Karen
Sometimes conversation is hard to come by -- so we take a selfie!!!!
October 2, 2015
...and, I must admit there are times when I very much miss the days when my mom could walk and visit "The Don" as she did when she was living at the American House.
A recent hair cut. The "Before" is on the left and the "After the two on the right. A little shorter than we wanted, but it will work!!!
This, my friends, is fresh from this morning's visit.
I was pleased to see their "morning exercises" and they all seemed to enjoy it!!!
TODAY -- November 16, 2015
Complete with Video............
I will try to be better about sharing as I have received concerned phone calls from many of my mom's friends. We remain thankful for each day and wish all of you
a very nice and Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
