SATURDAY, SEPT. 27 & SUNDAY, SEPT. 28TH, 2013

September 28, 2013, Saturday. I went to the NH about 5 PM today. The birdfeeder was full and it was sprinkling, blinds open. I couldn’t find Mom. She was strolling in her w/c on Unit 1 so we strolled back to her room. She propelled herself most of the way. I set her at the table with some photos to look at besides the birds and the DVD then went to find her a tray. They made up one for Mom in Dining Room II. She ate tomatoes and veggies out of the beef stew, some corn chips and one of her cookies. Carl was there today, new flowers and Mom had a yellow rose from the celebration of life of one of the residents who had passed. There was also a flyer in her room about Riley’s band playing at St. Francis School cook-off today. I called for help and Yvonne came and changed Mom and finished getting Mom to bed. I cleaned Mom’s teeth, her glasses, gave Tina and Mom a chocolate and put the TV back on the DVD. I left about 6:45 PM.

September 29, 2013, Sunday. I went to the NH about 5 PM, fed the birds, blinds closed. It rained 2 inches last night so I didn’t need to water the grass or wash the sidewalk. Mom’s tray was at the nurse’s station and Mom was in the dining room. I took both to her room. We opened the blinds, turned off the TV and Mom ate almost all of her chicken and rice, most of the salad and fruit and none of the roast beef. She ate one of Helen’s cookies. I called for help getting her to bed. Franca came and helped Mom into bed. I cleaned Mom’s teeth, glasses and we did some personal care. I gave Tina and Mom some candy. I switched the wreath on the door from flowers to Halloween theme then left about 6:40 PM. 

WED., SEPT. 25 AND THURSDAY, SEPT. 26, 2013

September 25, 2013, Thursday. I went to the NH about 4:45 PM, blinds closed. I fed the birds, washed off the sidewalk and watered the grass. Mom was in the dining room and her tray was in her room. There was a letter for me from the business office, a survey about quality of care. Mom ate well tonight, but slowly. Ketchup, salt, and pepper on the soups and dipping the cornbread in the soup. Med nurse brought some kind of allergy medicine. I gave Tina the flyswatter.  Tina understands what the flyswatter is for. We channel surfed and watched the birds while she ate the NH cookie. I put clean sacks and scarves in her drawer. Anabel came in with a trainee named Yahoo. She and Anabel got Mom ready and put Mom to bed. I returned the tray to the dining room, cleaned Mom’s teeth and put the DVD back on Fred & Ginger. I gave Mom and Tina candy then left about 7:10 PM.

September 26, 2013, Thursday. I went to the NH about 10:15 AM. I fed the birds, blinds closed, watered the grass and washed off the sidewalk. I went in the front door and left the survey form at the front desk then found Mom alone in the dining room, looking out the floor to ceiling window. I accompanied Mom to the Nail Spa activity in the Great Room. Mom chose blue nail polish this time. I did her nails. The church ladies volunteers were not in evidence. We returned to her room. We did some hair brushing and watching the birds and channel surfed. I gave Mom one of Helen’s cookies. She ate it all.  Then we went to the big TV room. I changed the channel to TCM and left Mom there watching Mickey Rooney. I left a note for the beautician to do Mom’s hair tomorrow, Friday, and reminded the Nurse that I would NOT be here tonight to feed Mom. I left about 11:20 AM.

SUNDAY, 9/22/13; MON., 9/23/13 AND TUES., 9/24/13 (TIME FLIES)

September 22, 2013, Sunday. I went to the NH about 5 PM. I fed the birds, blinds open and watered the grass. Mom’s tray was in her room and Yvonne brought Mom back from the dining room. Mom looked very nice today, hair, clothes.  Mom ate well about half her food (pizza, macaroni, salad, orange sherbet).  We watched the birds did some personal care, and then Charlotte & CrazyCarl arrived. Carl filled the bird feeders again then they came in and we visited for awhile. I asked Charlotte where did she get those great socks with grip spots on them and Charlotte gave them to me for Mom! We watched the birds. The parrots came, nine (9) of them tonight! Carl filled the feeders again when they left. I gave Mom and Tina some candy, cleaned Mom’s glasses and teeth then assisted Mom to bed. Mom was leaking so I called for help and changed Mom on the bed. Yvonne came and finished up. We channel surfed then I changed the DVD to the Little Mermaid. I left about 7 PM.

September 23, 2013, Monday. I went to the NH about 4:45 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was in the big TV room. I accompanied her back to her room where Yvonne had just brought her tray. I opened the blinds, got out some condiments and Mom ate well, about half (all the fruit salad, most of the vegetables, some of the spaghetti, 1/3 of the biscuit) I cleaned Mom’s teeth and gave Tina and Mom candy. We channel surfed some then went for a walk to the covered patio. Mom propelled herself about half of the way there and back. We sat and watched the sky, airplanes and shared a bag of Cheetos from the machine. We returned to her room, slowly. I offered Mom ice cream but she didn’t want any. I assisted Mom getting into bed then I changed the DVD to a Fred A. film and left about 7 PM.

September 24, 2013, Tuesday. Hospice R.N. Faith, telephoned about Noon to say everything seems fine with Geraldine. She is subbing for Regina, R.N., who usually emails me re: Mom visits. I went to the NH about 4:45 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed, washed off the sidewalk and watered the grass. The parrots were screaming at me when I got out of the car! I told Nurse Diane that I would not be there for feeding Thursday evening. Mom’s tray was in her room and Mom was in the dining room.  Mom ate well with a lot of ketchup on the sandwich and a packet of salt and one of pepper on the soup. She had the last of the Amy’s ice cream on the tough brownie from the NH. I got a look at Mr. Thomas who has been inappropriate with Mom and Tina. He is wheelchair bound with only one working arm and what looks like a spinal injury. I told Tina I would bring her a flyswatter for the big horsefly I have seen in their room on occasion. Tina reported that the Hospice nurse looked at the wrong leg on Mom at first. We watched the birds. I saw at least 6 parrots. I brushed Mom’s hair, washed her face. Mom was fidgety tonight so I gave her a hairbrush then a fingernail file. When I gave her the stuffed dog on which I had sewn up some of the split seams, she stroked it vigorously. When I offered to accompany her on a walk she said “No! I’m old and tired.” So I assisted her get into bed. We channel surfed some and watched some TV then Mom chose the DVD to watch (Fred A & Ginger in Barcleys of Hollywood). I cleaned her teeth, gave candy to Mom and Tina then I left about 7 PM.

FRI., SEPT. 20 & SATURDAY, SEPT. 21, 2013

September 20, 2013, Friday. I went to the nursing home about 4:45 PM. It was raining so I fed the birds then went inside. Annie was just bringing Mom into the big TV room when I arrived, no glasses. Annie said Mom had a very active day today participating in exercise this morning and the party this afternoon. She also looked nice with evidence of her beauty parlor wash and set today. I took Mom to her room, got her glasses and started putting everything in order to eat when Anabel arrived with the trays. It was cool in her room today so I got her one of the lap blankets. Mom was in very good humor, communicated well and fed herself some. She ate over half her food rather quickly. I gave her one of Helen’s cookies to eat with her fruit cocktail which was good today. I cleaned her glasses, her teeth, we watched the birds and channel surfed some then hung up some clean clothes I brought. I got her changed into a nightgown and assisted her to bed. We watched the end of the Winged Migration DVD then she said she wanted to see something else. I put on Singing in the Rain then left about 6:30.

September 21, 2013, Saturday. I went to the NH about 5 PM, blinds closed. I fed the birds, washed off the sidewalk and watered the grass. Mom’s food was in her room and she was in the dining room. I got Mom and accompanied her to her room. She complained vehemently about being tired and staff told me that she had been very active today. There was a Boost container in her trash and I saw that Riley had signed in and visited today. Tina also reported seeing him today and said the residents had each had an ice cream sandwich at the banjo concert today. Mom ate very little tonight but only wanted to go to bed. She enjoyed Helen’s cookie and complimented it. She refused the chocolate. I gave Tina a sugarless candy. Tina and Mom reported that there is a male resident who has been “inappropriate”. I asked Nurse LINDA about it and she described what she knew of the behavior and said she thinks it is Mr. Thomas. I put Mom to bed, cleaned her glasses and her teeth then left about 6:30 PM.

VOLUNTEER LUNCHEON, WED., SEPT. 18 & THURS., SEPT. 19, 2013

September 18, 2013, Wednesday. Today was the Volunteers Luncheon. Very Nice. I saw Mom in the big TV room as I left and told I would be back later. Then I saw Carl bringing in fresh flowers as I was walking out with Pat Stebbins. Pat gave me a framed pastel drawing of Mom as a gift. I went back to the NH about 4:50 PM. I added some birdseed, blinds closed. Mom was in the big TV room. I accompanied her room. She propelled herself 90% of the way. Yvonne brought her tray. With Parmesan added to the spaghetti, she ate some, and over half the creamed corn and very little of the fruit cup. I did not recognize any of the fruit? I think the good fruit went to the luncheon. We did some personal care, watched the birds and channel surfed some. The Nurse came in and spotted the dried blood on Mom’s dress. I thought it was chocolate. We looked and Mom had another skin tear and Tina had a story about Mom trying to get into bed earlier. Nurse dressed Mom’s skin tear then we got Mom to stand, take a step with her walker. She could not remember who was Bonnie’s mom today. I helped her into bed, put on her O2 and left about 6:30 PM.

September 19, 2013, Thursday. I went to the NH about 4:50 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed, washed the sidewalk and watered the new grass. I brought sugarless candy for Tina and 2 of Helen’s cookies for Mom. I opened the blinds then went and found Mom in the dining room. C.N.A. Anabel brought Mom’s tray accompanied by a trainee named Jesse. Mom ate pretty well but I have noticed that she does not like meat. She ate her vegetables and rice (with ketchup) and, of course, her cake well. I also put honey on her bread and she ate some of that. Tina told me that Mom had a banana at Bingo today and she also had some corn chips left. When I asked about Bingo Mom said yes she had played today. That’s pretty good! We watched the birds. Anabel and Jesse came and put Mom to bed, changed her. I turned on the O2, cleaned her glasses and teeth and put the Winged Migration DVD on. I left about 6:45 PM. It was gently raining.

MONDAY, SEPT 16 AND TUESDAY, SEPT. 17, 2013

September 16, 2013, Monday. I went to the NH about 5:15 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed, watered the grass and washed off the sidewalk. The Grounds keeper told me that my passenger side brake light is out. I got Mom’s tray from the hallway cart and then went and got Mom from the dining room. I turned off the TV opened the blinds and we watched the birds. Her first few bites were enthusiastic. Then she would take bites but not swallow. With cajoling and bribes I got her to eat about 1/3 of her food. She does not have difficulty swallowing cookies or chocolate. I gave Tina and Mom candy, and cleaned Mom’s teeth. I called for assistance but no one came. I got Mom into bed and changed. I put the opera back on, disc I. I left about 7:15 PM. Mom was lethargic and not responsive to interaction today.

September 17, 2013, Tuesday. I went to the NH about 5 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed, washed off the sidewalk and watered the grass. It is looking better. Mom was in the big TV room, no glasses and was delighted to see me. I accompanied her to her room. She propelled herself most of the way. Her tray was in her room. I turned off the TV, opened the blinds, gave her her glasses and fed Mom supper; chicken pot pie, spinach and berry tart for dessert. I put salt, pepper on her food, also soy sauce on the pot pie and honey on the berry tart. She ate some spinach, about half the chicken pot pie and all of the tart. We hung up a few clean clothes I brought, channel surfed, watched the birds then I put on a Fred A. DVD. I left about 7 PM.  I forgot to put her O2 on.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 14 AND SUNDAY, SEPT. 15, 2013

The birds were causing some serious erosion by the fence.

We moved the feeders to the other side of the sidewalk and put down erosion mat plus grass seed and I think it is going to be all right!

September 14, 2013, Saturday. I went to the NH about 5 PM. I fed the birds, watered the grass, washed off the sidewalk, blinds closed. The tall feeder was full and there was still some seed in the flat feeder. When I went inside I saw in the sign-in book that Carl had visited but no new flowers. Tina told me she saw him today, briefly. Anabell was feeding Mom in her room when I arrived. I took over. Mom ate about half her food with much cajoling and bribery. Also lots of ketchup. We watched the birds and channel surfed then I helped Mom into bed. I cleaned her teeth, her glasses and gave a chocolate to Mom and sugarless candy to Tina. I left TV on the DVD of Fred & Ginger, Follow the Fleet. Mom is more child like today in her responses and attention. 

September 15, 2013, Sunday. I went to the NH about 10:45 AM. I fed the birds, blinds close. We had ½ inch of rain last night so I did not water the grass but took photographs. I brought the birthday gifts from Helen. Mom was resting on her bed, O2 on, teeth in, no glasses, sound down on TV. I opened the blinds and gave her the gifts. Mom was very excited about the cookies and enjoyed unwrapping the dress and opening the card. She liked the birds on the card. She and I each had a cookie and I put the conditioner on her hair. Later I read instructions that this is for WET hair. Next Time.  We channel surfed then C.N.A. Melody came and changed Mom, got her into different clothes and into her wheelchair. Dr. White came by and said Dr. Quinn is not in today and she doesn’t know it will herself or Dr. Quinn who will be the consult for therapy (me). I changed the DVD to the Opera then accompanied Mom to the dining room for lunch. I got her a coffee then left with Mom’s new things to label and bring back tonight. I left two cookies there and brought the others home to freeze for future use.  LATER: I went to the NH about 5:25 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed, washed off the sidewalk and watered the grass. I found Mom’s tray in the serving cart on the hallway and C.N.A. Franca went to the dining room to get Mom. I opened the blinds and turned off the TV. Tina was in bed, as usual watching Animal Planet. Mom ate pretty well tonight, more than half of ground up fried chicken and gravy, soup, bread & butter and tangerines. We saw 8 parrots tonight. I gave her one of the cookies from Helen and a chocolate and a candy for Tina. I called for assistance, turned on the opera, cleaned Mom’s teeth and glasses. I got out Mom’s new dress and hair conditioner and put them away. Yvonne came and assisted getting Mom into bed. I left about 7 PM.

ANOTHER FALL, THURS., SEPT. 12 AND FRI., SEPT. 13, 2013

September 12, 2013, Thursday. I went to the NH about 10:30 AM. I fed the birds, blinds closed, washed off the sidewalk and watered the grass. Mom was under the covers, fully dressed with shoes, O2 on, teeth in, glasses on. I got Mom up, we did some personal care, watched the birds arrive then went to the Great Room for Nail Spa. Mom propelled herself about 2/3 of the way. Mom couldn’t decide on a color so we did her nails in two different colors. We went back to her room and hung up the clean clothes I brought. Mom had difficulty with decision making today. I accompanied her to the dining room for lunch. I got her a coffee then left about 11:40 AM. I spoke to Dr. Quinn, the NH psychologist, about an appointment. He suggested Sunday morning. I can’t come tonight to feed her. I told Nurse Diane and the staff in the dining room that she should eat in the dining room with supervision tonight.

When I got home, from the Red Dot Fund Raiser, about 9 PM there was message on my phone from Nurse Linda. I returned her call and she said that Mom had been served a tray in her room, ate alone, then fell when she tried to get into bed. Nurse Linda says that Mom seems okay.

September 13, 2013, Friday. An email this morning from Regina, Hospice, stating Mom has a bruise on her cheek but Mom spoke to Regina and seemed alert. Sam the Social Worker at RNC called and said she would leave a permission form for psychological counseling for Mom’s family (me) to sign in Mom’s room. I went to the NH about 5:15 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed, washed off the sidewalk and watered the grass. I brought a few clean clothes for Mom. I had a discussion at the Nurses station about leaving Mom in her room alone to eat. If I am not there, she must eat in the dining room with supervision. Anabel sat with Mom and her tray until I arrived. Mom was recalcitrant and refused to eat. She felt clammy to the touch and sweat was running down her neck. The only evidence of her fall that I saw was a pale bruise on her cheek and some bruises on her left leg. Mom told me to “get lost”. I called for assistance and C.N.A. Jenny came and I assisted her putting Mom to bed.  I cleaned Mom’s teeth and glasses and put her O2 on. She tried to take Mom’s stats and got only 84 on her O2. Her BP was 61 over 120. The Nurse came and we tried taking her O2 again. She turned the O2 up to 4 (from 2.5) and was not successful in getting an O2. I asked for a Boost for Mom. Jenny brought the Boost and Mom drank it gladly. Her humor improved after she was in bed and I changed the DVD to Fred and Ginger. I left the permission form in Sam’s office and left about 7 PM.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 10 & WED., 9/11, 2013

September 10, 2013, Tuesday. I went to the NH about 5:20 PM. I discovered I had left birdseed in the other car and it had just sprinkled. Riley had been by earlier a couple of times, feeding the birds and watering the grass. I gave Amy’s Ice cream to Nurse Diane to put in staff fridge and got a cup scooped up and put aside for Mom later, for dessert. I gave Tina three National Geographic magazines. Mom’s tray was in her room but Mom was in the dining room. I accompanied Mom back to her room. The Tabasco Sauce and ketchup added to her tamales and beans was appreciated and Mom ate almost all of her supper. Then she ate a cookie and her cup of ice cream. We watched the birds and I put the TV on the Little Mermaid DVD. I called for help and C.N.A. Anabel came and got Mom into bed. I cleaned her teeth, her glasses and brushed her hair. Mom face is very dry and Anabel said that her skin needs to cream so we did that. I gave Mom and Tina candy then left about 7:15.

September 11, 2013, Wednesday. I went to the NH about 3:25 PM. There was birdseed but I put a little more, watered the grass and washed off the sidewalk.  Mom was in the Great Room and Pat wasn’t there. There were watercolors and Tina had started a lovely one. Pat arrived. She had gone to Hobby Lobby for supplies. I got Mom started on a watercolor and took some photos of Mom for Pat. I left Mom in the activity about 3:50 PM and came home and made a disk for Pat. I will leave the CD with the Recreation office for Pat. She is doing a painting of Mom. I went back to the NH about 5:15 PM. Mom was in the dining room and her tray was in her room. I gave the CD of photographs to Donna to give to Pat. I accompanied Mom back to her room. She propelled herself about ¾ of the way. After I turned off the TV I fed Mom. She wouldn’t use the utensils herself, tonight. I put too much Tabasco sauce in the soup, made Mom’s nose run then she wouldn’t eat much of it. The potatoes in the potato salad were underdone and there was a roast beef sandwich. Mom never did like roast beef very much plus she was in a contrary mood. With a lot of ketchup, mustard and salt she ate about 1/3 of her meal. Then I got a cup of ice cream from the Nurse refrigerator. Mom also refused the ice cream but eventually ate it, then I gave Mom and Tina candy. We watched the birds. I cleaned up. Then Anabel came and I assisted her putting Mom to bed. I told Anabel that I thought Mom felt warm. She took Mom's temp and it was 98.5. I cleaned her teeth, glasses, put cream on her face and brushed her hair. I gathered up dirty clothes and left about 7:15 PM.

SUNDAY 9/8/13 & MONDAY 9/9/13

September 8, 2013, Sunday. I went to the NH about 5:15 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed, washed off the sidewalk, watered the grass. Leaving her clean clothes in her room, I found Mom in the dining room. We went back to her room where we hung up her clothes, watched the birds and turned on the TV. I went and got a tray for her. They had no “ticket for her” in the dining hall and Tina had already gotten her tray in her room. I got food for Mom and returned to her room where Mom was opening packets of condiments I had brought and had eaten a package of Chinese sweet & sour sauce. I doctored up her food, turn off the TV and Mom ate about half her food with a lot of cajoling and bribery and condiments. I called for help but none came. I noticed there has been no plastic liner for the garbage cans since Friday. I gathered up Mom’s dirty clothes and took them with me, home. I got Mom changed and into bed. I left her with O2 on, glasses on, teeth out, watching The Little Mermaid about 7:15 PM.

September 9, 2013, Monday. I went to the NH about 5:30 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed, washed off the sidewalk and watered the grass which is now growing, sprouted. I put the bag of clean clothes in Mom’s room, opened the blinds. Tina said she had not gotten her tray yet. Mom was in the dining room. I accompanied her back to her room. She propelled herself about ¾ of the way. We hung up clothes, channel surfed and watched the birds. Mom was fairly alert. I went to the dining room and got a tray for Mom, grilled cheese and tomato soup. Mom ate all of her soup and over half of her sandwich. Yvonne got a sandwich & pudding for Tina. I gave Mom and Tina candy. I called for assistance and C.N.A. Gus came. I helped him get Mom into bed. I put the TV on TCM and left about 6:55 PM.

NEW HAIRDO, NEW SKIN TEAR AND FEEDING MOM, SEPT. 6 & 7, 2013

September 6, 2013, Friday. I went to the NH about 10 AM. I fed the birds, watered the grass seed, blinds open. Mom was on her bed, no O2, glasses on, teeth in. Dalmaccio said the beautician, Margaret, had sent for Mom so he came and got Mom into her chair. I noticed a bandage on Mom’s left calf, signed and dated 9/5. We did some personal care, I gave Mom a chocolate then I accompanied Mom to the beauty shop.

I asked Nurse Diane about the skin tear. She did not know about it but the hospice nurse Regina, stopped by and spoke to me and Dr. about it. We discussed Mom’s evening feeding also. I assisted Mom into the chair for Mom’s wash and set then left about 10:30 AM.

LATER: I went to the NH about 5:00 PM. The birdfeeders had feed, blinds open so I watered the grass then went inside. Mom was resting on her bed, O2 on, cannula out of place, sound down on DVD, glasses on, her hair done. The C.N.A. came in and we got Mom into her chair then we both went to look for a tray for Mom. Tina didn’t have hers either. I returned to Mom and set her up at the table coloring. We channel surfed and watched the birds and the C.N.A. brought Mom her tray. I turned off the TV and Mom ate about half of her supper. It took a lot of cajoling, ketchup and bribery to get her to eat. Mom had fresh flowers and Carl had signed the book as a visitor today. I helped Mom onto her bed, took her teeth out and cleaned them, put her O2 on. Nurse Luz came and checked Mom’s skin tear and put on a new bandage. 

September 7, 2013, Saturday. I went to the NH about 5:30 PM. I fed the birds, washed off the sidewalk and watered the grass seed. It looked like the grass is sprouting. Mom was in the dining room. I got a tray for her and we went to her room for supper. I opened the blinds and turned off the TV. With cajoling and bribery, extra salt and pepper, Mom ate about half of the meal. I called for help and the C.N.A. came and we put Mom in bed. I gave Mom and Tina candy, washed Mom’s teeth and left her watching CARMEN, O2 on and glasses on about 7:15.

CARE PLAN, WED., SEPT. 4 & THURSDAY, SEPT. 5, 2013, CHANGES

September 4, 2013, Wednesday. I went to the NH about 3 PM. I fed the birds, watered the grass seed, hosed off the sidewalk underneath the feeders, blinds open. Mom was resting on her bed, no clothes, TV off, no glasses, teeth in, O2 on but cannula out of place. I turned off the O2, turned on the TV, got Mom some clothes and called for assistance. I got Mom up and into her chair then the C.N.A. came. We did some personal care and I accompanied her to the Great Room for watercolor painting with volunteer, Pat. I left Mom there and went to the Care Plan Meeting. 1.We discussed her continued weight loss; 2. Mucinex and melatonin (medications); and 3. the specific orders for the O2. She IS supposed to have O2 anytime she is laying down, esp. at night. I said that I could feed Mom in her room at suppertime from now until January with my new schedule, starting tomorrow.  I returned to the Great Room and Mom had completed a watercolor. I took her over to the crafts table and she painted a small birdhouse blue. I accompanied Mom back to her room. After getting her dirty clothes and her watercolor we went to the big TV room and I left Mom there about 5:15 PM. I returned to the NH about 7:30 PM. There was birdseed in the feeders and the grass seed was wet, blinds closed. Mom was in bed, no O2, no glasses, sound down on DVD, teeth in. Riley had signed in and out just before so I barely missed seeing him. I opened the blinds, cleaned her glasses, her teeth, put the O2 on and gave Mom and Tina candy. I turned up the DVD and left about 7:30 PM.

September 5, 2013, Thursday. I went to the NH about 5 PM. Blinds, half open, I fed the birds, washed down the sidewalk and watered the grass seed. Mom was in the dining room at her place so I escorted her back to her room after talking with the  dining room C.N.A.s and  Anabel about feeding Mom in her room. I opened the blinds and we hung up the clean clothes I brought. Mom did fairly well at problem solving. Anabel brought her tray which was very hot. I turned off the TV and closed the curtain between Mom and Tina and assisted Mom in eating. She ate all of her vegetables, a couple of bites of the spaghetti, and most of her cookies, drank about half of her juice. Then I opened the curtain, called for assistance, gave Tina and Mom candy. I cleaned Mom’s teeth and glasses, got her nightgown and we started getting ready for bed. Charge Nurse came by with Tina’s meds and saw the parrots. I got Mom into bed and almost changed when Anabel came and finished up. I left Mom with O2 on, glasses on, teeth out, DVD playing and blinds open about 7:30 PM. I asked the charge nurse how much warning they need if I am not going to be able to come and feed Mom. We will try this for awhile.

SEPTEMBER 2 & 3, 2013 - EROSION CONTROL!

September 2, 2013, Monday. I went to the NH about 11 AM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was asleep on her bed, DVD playing, sound down, no glasses, no teeth and in a nighty with a sweater. I called for help, changed the DVD to little Mermaid, opened the blinds. C.N.A. Erica came and got Mom changed and up. We changed her clothes to some pants and a new shirt from Charlotte, sweater back on. I gave her a lap blanket and her new hat from Brooks. Her hair is still curly and she looks cute, all matching.  With clean glasses and her teeth in, we looked at some old photographs and talked about her family. Mom has fresh flowers from Carl and I saw that he and Charlotte had visited last evening. I gave her some hand cream and she put it in her mouth. I wiped out her mouth and gave her a chocolate and we did some personal care. We went for a walk to the dining room. Mom propelled herself over half way. In the dining room we played the piano a bit on the spinet then I took her to her place and got her a coffee. Then I saw Annie from Rec. and she gave me the birdfeeders from Mr. X. We put them in my car and I left about Noon. Riley came by here and got one of the birdfeeder poles about 2:30 PM, plus sledge hammer, grass seed, compost to try to work on Mom’s birdfeeder and the erosion. He had some environmentally friendly covering and dirt to build up eroded area. 

 LATER: I returned to the NH just before 7PM. I fed the birds, blinds open but there was food in the feeders plus they were changed around, a new pole. They look great! Plus Riley put down the extra dirt, anti-erosion mat and grass seed. I squirted some water on the ridge, the seed. Mom was in bed, no glasses, teeth in. I got her teeth and cleaned them, cleaned her glasses, gave them to her, and gave her a chocolate. I gave Tina a sugarless candy. I changed the DVD to Little Mermaid and watched it a bit then Mom fell asleep and I took her glasses off and left about 7:30 PM.

September 3, 2013, Tuesday. I went to the NH about 11 AM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. I watered the grass seed and washed the sidewalk down. Mom was asleep on her bed, O2 on, teeth in, glasses on. She awoke when I opened the blinds. I gave her a chocolate and we channel surfed. We did some personal care and Mom said she did Not want to get up. I changed the DVD to the Carmen opera, disk II. I left about 11:30 AM. I returned to the NH about 3:15 PM to see Candy in administration about the confusing mail from Medicaid/Medicare. The two documents from the Midland, TX, office were new to Candy. She had not seen those before and they did not seem to say anything. The third one explained the convoluted way the Medicaid payment to the dentist was going to be made.  I paid the NH. I went to see Mom. C.N.A. Janee was changing Mom and getting her some clean clothes. I helped get Mom up and into her chair then we went to the Great Room where Annie was conducting a game. I got Mom a coffee then left her at the activity about 4 PM.  I returned to NH about 7 PM. I fed the birds, blinds open. I washed off the sidewalk, squirted water on the birdbath and watered the grass seed. Mom was in bed, no glasses, no teeth, no O2, sound down on the opera. Mom said that she saw me out the window! I gave Mom a chocolate and sugarless candy to Tina. We watched the birds, channel surfed. I cleaned and gave her glasses to her. We talked about the opera some and Mom nodded off to sleep. I left about 7:30 PM.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31 AND SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2013

August 31, 2013, Saturday. I went to the NH about 6:45 PM. I fed the birds, the blinds open. When I got to Mom’s room, Franca was putting her to bed. I turned up the sound on the opera, adjusted her cannula, cleaned her glasses and washed her teeth. We watched the birds and the opera for awhile. Mom seemed happy, engaged and relaxed. I left about 7:20 PM.

September 1, 2013, Sunday. I went to NH about 12:50 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. I found Mom in the hallway outside the lunch room. She greeted me with “Hi Melanie”!!! WOW! She knew my name immediately. I accompanied her to her room. We hung up clean clothes I brought. She did very well. I put on Helen’s Little Mermaid DVD. It is new technology and was difficult to get it to play on Mom simple player but I got it playing. I gave Mom a chocolate and assisted Mom into bed, gave her O2, cleaned her glasses and covered her with a sheet. She was watching the birds and the cartoon with interest. I gave Tina a caramel. Tina needs some pushpins for her bulletin board. Mom too. I watched the DVD with Mom also for a bit. It is not looping so when it is over it will just stop. When I return tonight I can change it to a looping one. Mom does like it. We did some personal care and I left about 1:40 PM.

LATER: I went to NH about 6:50 PM AND THE LITTLE MERMAID was still playing?!?! I fed the birds, blinds half open. The C.N.A. had just put Mom in bed and was leaving. O2 was on but not in place, no glasses and no teeth. Tina said that the film did it by itself....repeated! I telephoned Carl to ask if he had been there, done something. He said No but that he and Charlotte were on their way to visit, bring new flowers. Mom was watching Little Mermaid, entranced. I gave Mom a chocolate and Tina caramel and left about 7 PM.

7:45 PM Carl called me at home to say DVD had finished and ads were running. I suggested change the DVD to a looping one just in case. Mom has been alert and if she gets bored or whatever she might get up in the night and this is the situation when she has had falls. Carl put American in Paris on.