Monday Memories With My Mom

The Adventures of Caring for a Mom With Alzheimer's Disease
     Taking time out for a quick update... 
     First, how about some nice lovely things -- like my BFF sending my mom a card letting her know she's thinking of her!  When I arrived to visit last week she was holding the card and reading and re-reading it as she does.  Nancy has been a close friend since I was in like, 3rd grade!!??  My mom loves "Little Nancy" as she calls her!  Thanks!

     I also felt it was only fitting that I shared part of my Fall giveaway winnings from Yaya over at Whispering Pines.  So, I found a nice little spot for this cute little pumpkin at my mom's apartment.  A nice reminder of Fall from a super nice lady!!

     Then, here is a picture of my mom after her fall a week ago and then Day 4, last Thursday.  The good news is, the x-ray shows no break in her nose and no facial fractures.  That's a relief, since I was originally told the doctor on staff thought it was broken. 

     While visiting, I also learned that my mom is not "staying" in the dining room.  Apparently, she picks at and eats a bit of her salad and then makes a run for it...leaving the dining room.  When the staff picked her up for lunch, I spied from my lookout and, sure enough, they were right.  She tried to leave.  They redirected her back to the table.  I then came down and had a talk with my mom.  Got her legs turned in facing the table and told her to eat some of the corned beef and cabbage that was also part of the meal that day.  She did, reluctantly, eat a few more things.  I talked to the staff a bit about it, asked that they make sure she sits facing her food, etc.  Much like a kid, sometimes saying things like "no juice unless you eat your meat" sometimes works.  However, I can see their frustration as she was not terribly cooperative with me either that day.
    Today, I received a call indicating that my mom would not cooperate with staff trying to dress her and take her to breakfast.  They told me some of the tactics they were using, including using my name.  Unfortunately, it is not their job to "make" my mom do anything!

     So, tonight is the night I am off to spend the night at my mom's apartment.  I wish I could say I'm looking forward to it.  I'm not.  My goal is to again (as I was in June) be as much of a "fly on the wall" as I can.  See what my mom is up to, if she goes to dinner, where and when she sleeps, if and when she gets her medication, etc...  I also hope to work with the staff on getting her redirected into her routine.  I tried to talk to her about it on the phone today.  She was a bit defiant and, of course, denies her lack of cooperation.  I know that there really is no "reasoning" with my mom.  Logic does not work.  I will need to be creative and use my best psychology.  In the process, I hope to see exactly how the staff is going about prompting my mom for her care and escorts. 
     She is such a light sleeper, so I will have to be quiet!!  No Wi-Fi at my moms...bringing lots of reading and perhaps will post a few pics on Instagram!  Wish me luck!!!

Bought my mom this pillow in hopes of deterring her from slouching so badly on the couch.  Time will tell if it helps or not.