MARCH 31, 2013, EASTER

March 31, 2013, Sunday (Easter). Bill A. & I went to the NH about 11:45 AM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. We found Mom in Dining Room I at a table near the front. Mom & I returned to her room for a sweater, opened the blinds, watched the birds, cleaned her hands & glasses. I checked her skin tear on back of L leg. It looks reddish but Mom complains of no pain. I brushed her hair and washed her face, too. We returned to dining room, took photos, talked about Easter, sang “Zippity-do-dah” and Riley arrived just before the food. Mom ate fairly well, mostly the fruit salad. We accompanied Mom to her room. A new C.N.A. Damaidos, came and changed Mom and assisted her onto her bed while Bill and Riley waited in the hall. Bill went to car and fed the birds again then returned and presented Mom with a box of Whitman’s Chocolates. Mom had two! Mom expressed desire to come with us but also to nap. We left Mom on her bed with O2 on, glasses on about 1:50 PM. Carl visited Mom later with fresh flowers.

MARCH 28-30, 2013

March 28, 2013, Thursday. I went to the NH about 3:30 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. The birds were waiting for me! Mom was at the bingo activity in dining room II. I went to administration and paid for 3 guests for Sunday Lunch. Then went to Mom’s room, opened blinds, and got a glasses lens wipe from Mom’s drawer for her glasses which are always dirty. C.N.A. Anabel appeared to be resting on Tina’s bed. She exited when I came in. I went to dining room II and joined Mom. She was sitting alone at a table with four cards so we played together. We got about 5 Bingo’s between us. Mom ate one banana and was intermittently accurate with the game. I put one banana in her prize bag with two bags of chips and took the apple she chose home with me. I plan to cut it up and bring it to her another time. We went back to her room and did some personal care, watched the birds and changed the DVD to Opera, Carmen. I tried to engage her in some conversation about the Riley’s and read one of Claris’ stories to her. Today she did not remember Uncle Lewis or much about the Riley’s, only Granma Riley. She was generally lethargic and acquiescent. I accompanied her to the dining room for supper. She propelled herself the whole way. I got her an orange juice before I left about 5:40 PM. I noted that Social Worker Sam had on disposal particle mask at the Nurses desk.

March 29, 2013, Friday. I went to the NH about 10:40 AM with clean clothes. I fed the birds, blinds partially open. Mom was asleep on her bed, no O2, glasses on. I opened the blinds, turned up the DVD just in time for the Toreador song and sang along. Mom smiled and was happy and said that she wanted to get up and go to the bathroom. I called for help and started to assist Mom getting up. A new C.N.A. came and assisted Mom to the toilet. She was kind and patient but she put the “Handi Wipe” thing in the toilet and it clogged, didn’t overflow. I showed the mystery sweater to Tina but Tina said it is not hers so I took it to Nurses station and reported clogged toilet. Derrick came very soon and checked it out. I gave Mom the fruit salad I made with her Bingo apple and she ate almost all, leaving some of the raisins behind. She also ate a cookie which she did not immediately identify as food. I had to instruct her. I did some personal care and sketched her today. Mom was somewhat distracted today. She asked “who’s that” when there was no one there. We watched the birds and channel surfed some then I put Singing in the Rain on. She said she had not seen this film before. I accompanied Mom to the dining room and left about 11:50 AM. I spoke with Donna about Sunday and verified 3 guests. Riley reported that he saw Mom during Lunch.

March 30, 2013, Saturday. I went to the NH about 2:10 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was resting on her bed, no glasses, sound down on TV, no pants, O2 on. I got Mom some pants and got her up into wheelchair, opened blinds, turned on sound. The birds came and we watched the birds. We did some personal care, cleaned her glasses and checked Mom out for a ride in the car. Mom did well managing the w/c, slowing it and controlling it, somewhat. We rode around slowly in the car looking at flowers, passer-bys and scenery. We got a soda at the convenience store. Mom delighted in reading all the signs on the store. We went to NW Park and sat in the parking lot for a bit then made our way back to the NH. Mom refused to get out of the car. She said that I could go in and she would wait for me. I opened the door and sat in the w/c and we talked for a bit. Then Mom got out of her own volition to go inside. Jon Emery was playing music in dining room II. He’s good and played “You are my Sunshine”, “Tennessee Waltz” and other favorites. Mom & I clapped and sang when we knew the words. I left Mom with the music and the soda about 4:10 PM. Mom showed no distress at my departure.

MARCH 25-27,2013

March 25, 2013, Monday. I didn’t go to NH today.

March 26, 2013, Tuesday. I went to the NH about 10:20 AM with clean clothes. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was asleep on her bed, no O2, glasses on, sound down on DVD. I opened the blinds and turned up the TV. Mom was happy to see me but said that she did Not want to get up. I cleaned her glasses and we hung up a few clothes but she kept falling asleep. I gave her a chocolate and we looked at some material that Quembe sent about the Riley’s, Great uncle Lewis and others. Mom was inattentive. We channel surfed then went back to the DVD. I closed half the blinds lowered her bed and said good-bye. She said good-bye and I left her sleeping about 11 AM.  I called the facility in the afternoon and made reservations for three to visit Mom for Easter Lunch.

March 27, 2013, Wednesday. I went to the NH about 2:30 PM. There was feed in the birdfeeder but I put in some more, blinds open. Nurse asked me if I knew anything about the delivery of O2 tanks to Mom? I did not. She said they came without the carts for them and she did not find orders for them. So they refused them. Mom was resting in her bed, O2 on, clothed but under the covers watching the birds. She did not want to get up, no matter my encouragement. Fresh flowers indicate Carl had been to visit. The tube roses really contribute a lovely smell in the room. I soaked her nails, warm cloth on her face, cleaned & filed nails, cream on her skin. We looked at photos and some material that Quembe sent about the Riley’s. She seemed to recognize people in photos appropriately but showed very little interest. The C.N.A. came and took Mom’s vital signs. Temperature about 97.8, (good for her) blood pressure low -89 over 78…something like that, oxygen good, over 95%. A man came with an official aid dog named Dixie. Mom petted the dog happily.  Mom was lethargic and mostly just watched the birds. We channel surfed. I changed the DVD then left about 3:30 PM.

MARCH 23 & 24, 2013

March 23, 2013, Saturday. I went to the NH about 4:40 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. I opened her blinds then found Mom in dining room II where Music was just finishing up. I took Mom back to her room.  I noticed a white bandage on a wound on L leg with yesterday’s date written on it. I asked the Med nurse but she didn’t know anything about it. I asked C.N.A. Vanessa and she didn’t know either and Tina had no report on it either. Birds came and we watched the birds. We did some personal care from the locked overnight bag today. The White Diamonds perfume that Riley & Terri gave Mom 2 or 3 years ago for Christmas finally finished today. We channel surfed then watched Winged Migration for a bit during which Mom asked to go “out”. I changed to a Fred A. DVD and Mom settled down. She appears to be comforted and entertained by films that have the look and the pace of the films of her youth. I showed her photos today and she misidentified Lu, calling her “Cynthia”. We did some exercise. When I accompanied her to the dining room for supper we found the charge nurse and she removed the bandage to reveal a closed wound with scab forming so we left the bandage off. I got Mom an orange juice then I left about 5:50 PM.

March 24, 2013, Sunday. I went to the NH about 3 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was resting on her bed, O2 on, glasses off, sound down on the DVD. She said “I’m telling myself my own story to go with the movie.” Mom was alert today but more confused in some ways. When looking at photos she mixed her siblings names into groups of her children, identifying Lu as Roberta or Cynthia as Claris. In other photos she called Cynthia Lucretia. Her room was exceptionally cold today. I gave her a sweater, scarf and hat. We did some personal care and I gave her a chocolate. The birds came and we watched the birds. We went to the church service and sang the hymns but Mom tired of that and wanted to go. So we went for a stroll around the facility. Twice she started to get out of her w/c to walk but then also tired of propelling herself. Mom tired of each activity quickly with attention turning from one thing to another. We returned to her room. We channel surfed some and colored together. We went to get a juice  in the dining room then returned to her room. This trip she propelled herself most of the way. I left her in her room coloring in front of TV, sound up, Fred A on DVD. I brought home clothes to wash.

MARCH 20 - 22, 2013

March 20, 2013, Wednesday. I went to the NH about 3 PM today. I fed the birds, blinds open. When I went in Nurse Diana said “We’re having a good day.”! Mom was in bed, TV off, no O2, no slacks, wrestling with the covers. She said she wanted to go to the bathroom (usually means she wants to have a BM) and started getting up before I could assist her. I got her to slow down and called for help. I got her shoes on her and into w/c and headed for bathroom. She was impatient but we got her to the toilet and Vanessa came and assisted Mom, gently and calmly. We got some slacks on her and back to the bed area. The birds came so we watched the birds. Mom pointed out the flowers, the mobile turning in the air currents and light reflecting on cars in the parking lot. We did some personal care then went to dining room II where painting activity was in progress. I got Mom some coffee and left her in the activity. Mom wanted to leave with me today. I left the NH about 4 PM. I turned her TV on before I left.

March 21, 2013, Thursday. Foxy & I went to the NH about 10 AM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was resting on her bed watching DVD of Fred. A. C.N.A. William came in to see if Mom wanted to get up but she said “No.” I put Foxy on her bed and she petted him enthusiastically and gave him a treat. We hung up clean clothes that I brought from home. Mom did not do well with problem solving today, required specific prompting. Mom was not conversational today. The birds came and we watched the birds. We channel surfed and did some personal care and I gave her a chocolate. She had difficulty deciding whether to watch the Parrots O TH or another Fred A. movie but finally settled on a Fred A. movie. Foxy and I left about 11 AM.

March 22, 2013, Friday. I went to the NH about 10 AM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was asleep on her bed, glasses on, no O2. I opened the blinds and hung the clean sweater I brought and turned up the sound on her TV. I asked if she wanted a chocolate and she awoke immediately and said yes. She sat up in bed and I brushed her hair with the spray on hair conditioner that Helen brought. We use that regularly, almost daily, and it really is great for Mom’s hair plus it has lasted. I cleaned her glasses, helped her clean her hands and she opened the chocolate easily. She applied hand cream to arms and hands. Mom was alert today and readily agreed to get up. I accompanied her to the activity in dining room II where many of the residents were already in a circle prepared to “play ball”. She propelled herself most of the way. Annie was still retrieving, transporting, residents. I stood in the middle of the circle and told about my shingles being blown off my roof and the leaks and rain. Several of the residents contributed to the conversation, remembering the storms, asking about the type of shingles, roof and we laughed about the different kinds of excitement one can have. Annie came and began the game. I left NH about 10:40 AM. Mom demonstrated no distress at my departure. 

MARCH 18 & 19, 2013

March 18, 2013, Monday. I went to the NH about 3:00 PM. I fed the birds blinds closed. Mom was in Dining room II with a cup of coffee, one w/c brake on. She had on the same socks as yesterday. C.N.A. Jasmine is solicitous towards Mom. I moved Mom towards the windows and the birds came to the feeder. Mom was less alert today, monosyllabic. I had to write down comments in order for her to understand. She remembers Granma Riley but not her first name. With prompting, I got a few relevant remembrances but very little today. I got her fingernail file and we filed her nails. She tired of that quickly. I drew birds then she drew a bird. I attempted Tic Tac Toe with her. Her marks on paper were repetitive, decorative but not “O”s or “x”s . We played patty cake successfully. I left her coloring in an RNC coloring book in the dining room about 4 PM.

March 19, 2013, Tuesday. Foxy and I went to the NH about 2:50 PM. The blinds were open and the bird feeders full! Carl has been here! Or Riley? I went to Mom’s room.  She wasn’t there but fresh flowers indicate Carl. Tube roses with the carnations, mums, roses arrangement will really be nice this week. I found Mom in dining room II drinking a cup of coffee. She was delighted to see us. We returned to her room and I did her nails. We returned to the arts & crafts activity. Mom wanted Foxy on her lap so I put Foxy on her lap and propelled her while she held firmly, petting her dog. Tina told me that Mom bowled a “9” in the bowling games this morning.  Annie from Rec. told me that Mom said to her earlier “Sit down and join me. I just sent out for coffee.” Mom was communicative and cheerful today. Foxy & I left about 3:40 PM. Mom showed no anxiety at our departure. I brought dirty clothes home to wash.

MARCH 16 &17, 2013

March 16, 2013, Saturday. I went to the NH about 11 AM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was resting on her bed, O2 machine on but the nostril attachment was out of place, TV on, sound down, no glasses. I found chocolate “coins” in her drawer and gave one to Mom. Later Tina told me that she had won those in a game and shared them with Mom, put them in her drawer. Nurse Audra came in and said that Mom has been very lucid and has had high O2 levels – 92 and 93. I discovered that I have been mixing up the names of Audra and Jenny. I have corrected them in the notes. I cleaned her glasses, turned up the sound on TV and we channel surfed some and watched the news. I got Mom into her wheelchair. We did some personal care. The birds came and we watched the birds. I put the TV back on Fred A. Mom said she wanted to watch that movie. We looked at photos some. Mom was alert. I accompanied her to dining room and left about Noon.

March 17, 2013, Sunday. Foxy & I went to the NH about 2:50 PM. I left Foxy in the car, fed the birds, blinds closed. I told the Nurse that I was taking Mom for a ride then went to her room. She was resting on her bed watching the DVD, sound down. I opened the blinds and Mom greeted me, no O2, glasses on. We hung up the clean clothes I brought and I changed the DVD. I gave Mom a chocolate and assisted her into her w/c. I signed Mom out and we went to the car. Mom propelled herself most of the way today. I assisted Mom into the car. She did well maneuvering today. I put the chair in the car and away we went with Foxy on Mom’s lap. We drove slowly through the neighborhoods. Mom missed some obvious highlights in the environment but was generally alert. We stopped at a convenience store and Mom read the signs to me (Lottery Texas, We appreciate you Business).We got a soft drink and meandered back to the NH. Traffic was very light so we could drive very slowly. Mom was somewhat reluctant to return but not argumentative. I asked if she wanted to go to the church service in progress but she did not want to go. We returned to her room and I assisted her back onto her bed. I left about 4:20 PM.

MARCH 14 AND MARCH 15, 2013

March 14, 2013, Thursday. I went to the NH about 11:30 AM. I went to the front office and saw Candy the accountant about the bill which needs an adjustment but she has to wait on official form from SS. I donated New Yorker magazines. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was resting on her bed, no O2, no glasses, DVD on, no sound. I noticed new flowers from Carl. I opened the blinds then assisted Mom to get up then noticed she was wet and put her back on her bed and called for help. C.N.A. William came and changed Mom and we got her into her chair. The wheelchair is repaired and this one folds up so I don’t have to bring hers from home. We did some personal care and I gave her a chocolate. Then I accompanied her to the dining room. On the way I spoke to Nurse Diane about wheelchairs. Who knows? Mom propelled herself the whole way. I got Mom a cup of cranberry juice and the wife of another resident produced Mom’s bib. She said it had gotten left behind from previous meal.  I got Mom’s dirty clothes then left about 12:20 PM. Riley told me about 5 PM that he planned to visit Mom.

March 15, 2013, Friday. I went to the NH about 9:25 AM. I fed the birds blinds closed. Mom was sleeping soundly on her bed. The O2 contraption was on her nose but the machine was off, so I turned it on. TV was off. I turned that on, cleaned her glasses and put clean clothes away. There’s not enough room for her clothes and they keep giving her more clothes. Nurse told me to take it up with Social Work. I turned up sound on TV. Mom looked at me a couple of times but continued sleeping. I left about 9:40 AM.

March 12 & 13, 2013

March 12, 2013, Tuesday. I went to the NH about 5:10 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was in the dining room awaiting supper. I took Mom for a walk to the covered patio. Then we went to her room. She propelled herself over half the way. Tina reports that Mom has been wandering around the facility independently and nurses confirmed that. I noted a broken to the quick fingernail and cut that off. We did some personal care then returned to the dining room for supper about 5:50 PM. The food came about 6 PM.  She ate about 1/3 to ½ her food. I got a yogurt to add to the chocolate cake and coerced her to eat all of that. We returned to her room. We hung up the clean clothes I brought. Mom did some problem solving. We visited the TV room then returned to her room again. I changed the DVD to Fred A. I took her teeth out and brushed them and checked. The uppers still say “Henderson”. I left Mom coloring in her room. I spoke with nurses about her teeth ID about 7 PM before I left the facility.

March 13, 2013, Wednesday. I called the dentist lab about 7:50 AM. They returned my call about 8:15 AM. We made agreement for me to bring Mom’s teeth to them about 9:30 this morning. I went to the NH about 9:15 AM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. I spoke with Nurse Diane about taking Mom with me to get her name put in her upper dentures. I also saw Nurse Mary Gilmore from Hospice. She told me she had discovered the reason for the hold up on getting Mom a locking wheelchair. It is funding. We are waiting for funding. Mom was asleep on her bed, TV off, no O2, no slacks. I opened the blinds and Mary G. assisted in getting Mom up; slacks, coat and sweater on and into her wheelchair. We went to the car and Mary assisted bringing the walker out and taking the wheelchair back to Mom’s room. Mom and I went to the dental cares offices at 2905 Gardenia in Round Rock. While they fixed the name in the dentures Mom and I went to Walgreen’s where I bought lens wipes and chocolates for Mom. We got her dentures and returned to the facility. During the fast, highway driving, Mom zoned out and noticed little around us. We drove through the neighborhoods slowly before returning to NH and then Mom noticed flowers, birds and environment. Upon return I got her wheelchair from her room. When we started back to the facility I noticed front left wheel was broken and we could only proceed by going backwards. We went to Nurse station and Annie from Rec. assisted in locating Derrick for repairing the w/c. Derrick brought another w/c and we transferred Mom to it and he took her chair. I returned her coat, chocolates, lens wipes to her room then left Mom sitting near the Nurse station at about 11:40 AM.

March 10 & 11, 2013

March 10, 2013, Sunday. Riley called about noon and said that he also saw Mom yesterday.  I went to the NH about 2:30 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was resting on her bed, O2 on, DVD on, sound down, no glasses, teeth in. I opened the blinds and we did some personal care. I assisted Mom to get into her wheelchair. I changed the DVD from Carmen part II to American in Paris. We read some of Quembe’s documents about the Riley’s land in OK. She did not remember much today. I got the photos out and Mom had more difficulty identifying people at first today, searching for words. We discussed her grandmothers’ names. She manifested more incomplete sentences today. I got the colors out and we colored together. She enjoyed this at first but soon tired of it. Mom seemed agitated today. We went to the Episcopal service. She propelled herself less than half way. I got her a coffee. I left Mom at the service with a songbook about 3:40 PM. I brought pecans to crack but we didn’t get around to that. Nurse Jennie thought that the storms last night, the weather change, might be related to several residents’ agitation.

March 11, 2013, Monday. I went to the NH about 3 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was resting on her bed, O2 on, glasses off, TV sound turned low, no pants on. She greeted me as soon as I entered (not asleep).  I brought nuts to crack but we didn’t do that today. I brought the Riley property documents but she didn’t respond to cues for that subject today. We looked at photos. She did fairly well at identifying people in photos but was inconsistent. She did Not confuse her family name (Clark) with Hickerson today. We did some personal care then I called for help but no help came. I changed Mom on the bed then got her up into the w/chair. We channel surfed then I put it back on the DVD.  Mom said she wanted to continue to watch American in Paris. The birds came and we watched the birds. I gave her a chocolate and she said she was hungry so we walked to the snack food machines. She propelled herself most of the way there and back. She chose Oreos. We shared them on the enclosed patio. Then we went to activities in dining room II, "Games". I got a tiger puzzle which we worked on together, twice. Donna, Recreation, stopped by and said how much many of the residents enjoy watching the birds. I told her I would like to volunteer sketching residents June & July on Mondays. We will finalize later. Mom & I returned to her room. I set her up with coloring then left about 5:15 PM. Tina reports that there was an incident with Mom taking someone else's pills. It sounds as if Mom thought it was candy but it is difficult to understand exactly from Tina.

MARCH 8 & 9, 2013

March 8, 2013, Friday. Foxy and I went to the NH about 2:50 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Nurse Diane asked me to sign a permission form for melatonin for Mom, very low dosage. We discussed Mom’s meds. Mom was resting on her bed, no O2, no glasses, TV off, teeth in, no slacks on. I brought some old photos I found today and clean clothes to hang up. We did some personal care. I gave Mom a baby banana which she ate promptly. I gave her the photos to look at while I got hangers. We hung up the clothes. Mom was pretty good at problem solving today. I put Foxy on the bed with her. She petted him vigorously and we looked at the photos together. For the first time in years she identified Dad. “That’s Hickory with the kids.” I put the photographs that she selected in her photo book that we keep in the drawer with the crayons. She expressed enjoyment at looking at the photos. C.N.A. Vanessa came and changed Mom and assisted getting Mom up for activities, a piano concert. Vanessa commented on how alert Mom is today. We went to dining room II for the concert and had real coke and fake popcorn for refreshments. Foxy and I left Mom at the concert about 4 PM.

March 9, 2013, Saturday. Foxy & I went to the NH about 4:00 PM. The birdfeeder was full and full of different types of doves, blinds half open. Mom was sitting in her w/chair with O2 on, watching Fred A. on DVD. I put Foxy on the bed so Mom could pet him which she did enthusiastically.  I noted fresh water on flowers and banana peel in garbage so I asked Mom if Carl had visited and she said “Yes”. We channel surfed and I changed the DVD to Carmen. I worked on her fingernails and we did some personal care. I brought pecans to crack and we worked on cracking pecans. Mom did well after instruction. I found the package of information about the Riley’s property sent by Quembe. Mom expressed interest in the documents. We started reading them today and will read over them in segments. I left them there, for now. I accompanied Mom to the dining room and left her there about 5:30 PM. I brought dirty clothes home to wash and noticed house finches and sparrows at the feeder as I left.

March 6 & 7, 2013

March 6, 2013, Wednesday. I went to the NH about 2:30 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was resting on her bed, no O2, teeth in, glasses on, TV off. I turned on TV and DVD player was also off. We channel surfed some then I turned on DVD, Top Hat. Mom said she had not seen this film before. We did some personal care and I trimmed toenails today. Donna from Recreation came to tell me that there would be no art today as volunteer Pat had a family matter to attend to. So I prepared to do art in the room and noticed no table. I got Mom up and we looked at photographs. Today she identified her father as “my daddy, A.L. Hickerson” then got it right in another photo. She confused surname “Clark” and “Hickerson” a couple of times. After some prompting she identified all her children and today called me “Melanie”. I assisted her into wheelchair then the birds came; white wing and rock doves. We watched the birds for awhile then went to dining room II for games. Mom propelled herself most of the way. I told Nurse Jennie about Mom’s missing table. She found one for Mom right away and put it in Mom’s room. The Med nurse gave Mom her (4 o’clock) meds. I got Mom a cranberry juice. I left Mom with Annie at a table for word games about 3:30 PM. Mom noticed her environment and commented on decorations today.

March 7, 2013, Thursday. I did not go to the NH today.

March 3 - 5, 2013

March 3, 2013, Sunday. I went to the NH about 4 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was resting on her bed, O2 on, glasses on, DVD playing Fred A., sound turned down, no teeth. Her teeth were on bedside table in soapy water as if never put in today. I asked if she wanted to go for a ride and she initially said no. I helped her into her w/c. I brushed her teeth and gave them to her. We did some personal care. Then I signed her out and we went to the car. While transferring her to the car I hit her L shin with the door and caused a skin tear. I put a band aid on the wound and returned her w/c to her room. We went for a ride. We got a coke at a convenience store then went to gas station and got gas. We rode around in the neighborhood, slowly. Mom was inquisitive and pushing buttons and looking through the car pocket. She inadvertently opened her door while we were at stop sign. That’s new! I showed her the window button and she opened/closed the window. I think the wind was bothering her although it was a warm day, it was very windy. We returned to her room. I changed the DVD to CAST AWAY. Then I accompanied her to the dining room. I told Nurse Luz about Mom’s skin tear. She headed for the dining room to inspect the wound and I left about 5:30 PM.

March 4, 2013, Monday. I did not go to the NH today.

March 5, 2013, Tuesday. I went to the NH about 10:20 AM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. When I entered the facility, Nurse Diane told me that Mom had wandered over to Unit I, opened the exit door independently and went outside. C.N.A. Will witnessed this event and accompanied Mom outside, allowing her to open the door and exit just to see if she could do it and asking her “Where are You going?” Mom responded “I’m going out.” Significantly she did NOT say she was going home or any such indication, just going “out”. Nurse Diane noted that this is the first time Ms Hickerson has done anything like this and we discussed putting a “wander guard” on her. I told Diane I would speak to her after I saw Mom today. Mom was resting on her bed, O2 askew, no glasses, teeth in, DVD on a Fred A. movie (changed from my last visit). I brought clean clothes and we hung them up. Mom did very well with problem solving today. She was cooperative and she spoke in full sentences, asking questions and making comments. I found the letter from Quembe asking if Mom remembered any story about a man being murdered and the body buried on the Riley’s land. Mom said that she remembered no such story, once again, in a conversational context. I checked and washed Mom teeth. She has New Lower Dentures with her name on them! Her uppers still have “Henderson” in them. I gave her potato chips out of her drawer. We did some personal care. Mom demonstrated increased participation. We went to dining room II where the washer competition was just finishing. Mom said she did not want to play so I played then handed the washers to her. She got the highest score of the day! I got 25. She got 65! We returned to her room and I gave her a chocolate and we talked to Tina. Tina noted increased independence and different behaviors on Mom’s part. The birds came and we watched the birds. I accompanied Mom to the dining room for lunch. I got Mom a coffee then went to the nurses station to talk to Diane. I asked that we NOT put the wander guard on Mom, yet. I know it is dangerous for her to exit but I don’t think Mom is trying to go anywhere. She consistently refers to her room as “home”. If she exits the facility again independently then they will put the wander guard on her. My concerns are that this will be more paraphernalia and it is difficult to reverse an order once it is in place. I discussed the teeth name with Diane. She said that she had discussed it with the dentist but they need to hear from me again. I left the NH about Noon. When I got home I called the dentist and spoke with Anna. They said that they would get back to me later today.  The dentist called about 2 hours later and said that they could pick-up Mom’s Teeth Tuesday afternoon, March 12 to change the name on the dentures. I volunteered to return them to Mom ASAP. They said that they would call me Wed. March 13 when they were ready. I called Carl to ask if he could visit Mom today. He was at the facility with Mom when he answered. He said that Mom told him that she had Not seen me today. He brought Mom a banana which she ate and also added fresh birdseed. 

MARCH 1 & 2, 2013

March 1, 2013, Friday. I went to the NH about 4:15 PM. I fed the birds, blinds open. Mom was at the entertainment in Dining room II. The young man was surprisingly awful. He played acoustic guitar, sang softly, played the piano awkwardly. Mom had a plate of apple pieces too large for her to eat with her poorly fitting dentures. I cut them up into smaller pieces and she ate some plus some cheese bits and crackers. We returned to her room and did some personal care. I changed the DVD to another Fred A. movie, Flying to Rio. We channel surfed, watched the weather, some news and some MASH. Mom likes Mash. I gave Mom a chocolate and some chips. Tina told me about Carl bringing a banana for Mom. I found no evidence of the banana so maybe Mom ate it. There were some fresh roses also. I saw Carl earlier in the day and he said that he had visited but Mom was sleeping soundly. We looked at photos. She identified her father as “Henry Harrison Hickerson” then corrected herself. She had difficulty identifying daughters but got all the boys first time then we laughed about that. Then she identified all her children in another photo. I accompanied her to the dining room. She propelled herself the whole way. I got her some coffee and left about 5:30 PM.

March 2, 2013, Saturday. I went to the NH about 11 AM. I fed the birds, blinds open. Mom was asleep in her w/c, in her room, brakes off, teeth and glasses in place. Fred A. DVD was playing sound down. I put the brakes on, woke Mom and we did some fingernail and personal care. I gave her a chocolate. We hung up some clothes. Mom was able to problem solve somewhat. We looked at photos and Mom identified her “papa” Henry Harrison and her Mom Minnie Jane but couldn’t recall their surnames without prompting. Today she confused the names of her children, calling the girls by her sisters’ names. After some conversation she identified all correctly and was better at identifying herself in photographs today. She did not call me by name today, seemed to avoid it as if unsure. I escorted Mom to dining room. C.N.A. Latrina stopped us midway and got Mom’s walker then assisted Mom to walk the rest of the way to the dining room. Not long ago Mom was wholly unable to walk. I had noticed improvement in Mom’s ability to stand and transfer, lately. I noticed Mom leaking so we returned to her room in the w/c and C.N.A. Flo changed her. Flo just started yesterday at RNC and was not familiar with Mom. I noticed that Mom’s bandage was loose and told the nurse when we returned to the dining room. When I went to get a coffee for Mom the nurse came and got Mom, took her to her room and fixed the bandage. Mom was back in her place at the table by the time I returned with Mom’s coffee. I left her in the dining room about 12:10 PM.

FEB. 27 & 28, 2013

FYI When Mom says that she wants to go with me, she means that she wants to go for a ride in the car. She LOVES to go for a ride in the car. When the weather is warmer, I will take her more often. Afterwards she is always tired and wants to go to her room/bed.

 

February 27, 2013, Wednesday. I went to the NH about 3 PM. I fed the birds blinds, closed. Mom was resting on her bed, O2 on but nostrils askew, no glasses, teeth in. The sound was turned down on Fred A. DVD. I handed her the photo of her home in Weatherford and she identified it immediately as “the house in Oklahoma where I grew up.” C.N.A. Anabel was in the room when I entered, appeared to be resting on Tina’s bed, perhaps. She left immediately. I turned up sound, opened blinds. The birds came plus a squirrel came and did some acrobatics, Bluejay in the birdbath.  I’ve met the man who fills the birdbath. He brings water, uses a bucket to fill. He is slightly disapproving of birdfeeder as he thinks it might feed rats. I told him I have not seen any signs of rats or such. The hawk might be helping with that but also there is evidence of an owl in the area.  I noted the toilet was clogged and reported it to the nurses station (not overflowing). They came in about 15 minutes to plunge. We did some personal care and Mom assisted me putting clean clothes on hangers. Her problem solving skills and communication is better today than yesterday. She still benefited from some direction. When I started to assist her to get into her wheelchair, she leaked so I changed her in her bed. I am not as good at that as the C.N.A.s We went to the entertainment in dining room II. Mom propelled herself most of the way and petted the visiting pet therapy dog today, on the way. I got Mom some coffee. The music was very upbeat. “May the Circle be unbroken…” Bass fiddle and banjo, singing and clapping. Mom showed no distress when I said good-bye. I brought dirty clothes home to wash and left about 4:10 PM.

 
February 28, 2013, Thursday. I went to NH about 3:30 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed.  I left clean clothes on her bed and got lens wipes. She was at the bingo activity. She identified numbers more often than not, but was inconsistently attentive. The volunteer at our table assisted residents to get bingo and not tear up the cards. Mom won 3 games as did all at our table. After Bingo we returned to Mom’s room and I discovered her TV was disconnected from cable. I reconnected and we channel surfed some. We did some personal care and Mom assisted me hanging up clothes. She repeatedly asked “to go”. I distracted her somewhat but Mom was consistent today with questions about accompanying me when I left. I left TV on Fred A. movie. I checked her teeth and they still say “Henderson” in the uppers, nothing in lowers. Tina said that dentist had visited Mom briefly today. As I escorted her to the dining room, we stopped at nurses station and I talked to Nurse Diane and Nurse Audra. We had a sufficiently confusing conversation about Mom’s teeth, the dentist, and orders for Mom food. Audra and I found the head of dietary and clarified that orders are for “regular”, not ground up. Diane said that dentist did visit on Tuesday but there is nothing in notes about Mom’s teeth. Mom displayed no anxiety waiting during discussions with nurses. At one point Mom appeared to understand when I spelled out “I’m l-i-e-i-n-g” to Nurse Audra. Her concentration seems good for brief periods. I left about 5:30 PM.