APRIL 24 - 27, 2013

April 24, 2013, Wednesday. Foxy and I went to the NH about 3:40 PM today. Riley’s car was in the parking lot and the feeder was full of birds. We went to Mom’s room and I hung up Mom’s clean clothes and put away some apparently clean clothes. I saw a parrot at the new feeder and Riley put some more seed in the feeder before he departed. Foxy & I went to dining room II. Mom was there playing “volley ball”. Annie told me that Riley had remarked on how well Mom played. Foxy & I greeted Mom and other residents. I cleaned Mom’s glasses which seemed mostly clean. We left Mom in the activity about 4:15 PM, taking home Mom’s dirty clothes. I put some more seed in the vertical feeder.

April 25, 2013, Thursday. I did not go to the NH today. Riley reported that he did and that he saw Mom’s hair this time. He said that Mom did not have her teeth when he got there. She did get a hair cut!

April 26, 2013, Friday. Annie from Rec. called about noon and left a message saying that today is the awards party for the Games For Life competition last Saturday at UT. I went to the NH about 3 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was asleep on her bed, no teeth, no glasses, the same DVD as last week playing, O2 on but nose connection on the floor. I called for help. Yvonne came although she is on a different unit today. We got Mom up. Mom & I did some personal care. We watched the birds. I changed the DVD. I accompanied her to the celebration. Mom got a hat and a medal for her contribution in Arts & Crafts. She did not attend the event at UT but one of her compositions won an Honorable Mention. Forty two NHs participated. RNC won some firsts and a lot of awards. They served pink lemonade and peculiar cookies at the party today. A photograph of Mom was featured in the Crow’s Nest on the banner for the RNC Ping Panthers. I took Mom back to her room for a good chocolate and talked to Tina about Mom’s teeth. Tina reports Mom did not have them in all day today. I left Mom in the TV room about 4:30 PM.

April 27, 2013, Saturday. I went to the NH about 9:15 AM. I fed the birds blinds closed. Mom was asleep on her bed with the O2 on, teeth in place, no glasses. I opened the blinds and Mom & I watched the birds. We did some personal care and watched the News & Weather. Mom said that she did Not want her glasses. I changed the DVD to Singing in the Rain. I pulled extra clean clothes out of drawers and we hung them up. Her problem solving skills were fairly consistent today. I left her in bed about 9:50 AM.

APRIL 20-23, 2013

April 20, 2013, Saturday. I did not go to the NH today. Carl called from the NH about 2:30 PM and said that Mom did not have her teeth in and he didn’t see them. I told him to look around and see the Nurse Immediately! Find them. He called back and said they were in the bathroom soaking. I said rinse them and give them to her. It is entirely possible (likely) that she has not had them in today. That she has been through two meals with no teeth. That it is likely the morning shift did not put her teeth in.  Carl also reported that the new birdfeeder still had seed so likely the Rock doves can’t get into it (yet).

April 21, 2013, Sunday. I didn’t go to the NH today. Riley came by about 1 PM and picked up a couple of scoops of birdseed from me to go visit Mom since he was not in his truck (with his supply of birdseed.)

April 22, 2013, Monday. I didn’t go to the NH today.

April 23, 2013, Tuesday. I didn’t go to the NH today. I called Riley this morning to make sure he could go by and check on Mom. I am still feeling like I have an impaired immune system and should stay out of medical facilities. He reported that the last time he went by (Sunday?) Mom did not have her teeth in. I explained that it likely means that she had not had her teeth in that day. He should help her put her teeth in if he finds her without her teeth.  Mom had an appointment at the beauty shop today. I don’t know if she went or not. Not likely.

 

APRIL 13 - 19, 2013

April 13, 2013, Saturday. I went to the NH about 10:30 AM. I fed the birds, blinds open. Mom was resting on her bed, feet raised, DVD on, sound down, O2 on but nostrils out of place. I properly placed the O2, cleaned her hands and gave Mom a chocolate. I asked Mom if she wanted to get up and she agreed but she was quite wet. I called for assistance but none came. I changed Mom, cleaned her hands, wiped her face, brushed her hair. A C.N.A. brought an exercise device to the room. She said it was for Tina. We went to dining room II and worked a puzzle. Mom’s problem solving skills were low but improved as we worked. She had a coffee. Then we went for a walk around the facility. Mom propelled herself about half the time. I left Mom in the dining room with a cup of orange juice about 11:45 AM.

April 14, 2013, Sunday. I didn’t go to the NH today. I called Riley and he said he would be sure and go by.

April 15, 2013, Monday. I did not go to NH today. I saw Riley and he said that he went by and fed the birds, Mom was sleeping.

April 16, 2013, Tuesday. I did not go to the NH today. Nurse Diana called and said that Mom had gotten two skin tears while playing Frisbee in an activity. She said that Luz had dressed it and all seemed fine. We talked about Mom’s fragile skin. Later I also got an email from Mary, the Hospice nurse regarding the skin tears.

April 17, 2013, Wednesday. I did not go to the NH today. Riley said he would go by.

April 18, 2013, Thursday. I did not go to the NH today. Riley has a busy day today but said he could feed the birds between 5 – 7 PM.

April 19, 2013, Friday. I went to the NH about 10:15 AM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Temperature this morning was about 40 F and sunny. Mom was resting on her bed, O2 on, no glasses, no socks. I greeted Mom and she seemed to recognize me immediately, if a little tentatively. I had not been to visit in 6 days. I put foot cream on her feet and checked her skin tears. They looked fine, clean and dressing dated 4/18/13. I changed the DVD then we channel surfed some, watched the news. We hung up the clean clothes I brought. Mom was pretty good at problem solving, today, paying attention. She said she was hungry and I gave her a packet of cookies from her Bingo winnings. She ate them with intention. We did some personal care. I assisted her into her chair. We went to dining room II and watched the “volley ball game”. Mom propelled herself part way. I got her a coffee. We cheered the team. Annie and Tara took me aside and showed me the banner they are preparing for the big game with Mom in the crow’s nest saluting. She looks great! It is an outstanding banner for the Pink Panthers (RNC team name). Mom and I went to the beauty shop and made an appointment for Mom to get a haircut and permanent next Tuesday. I left Mom in the TV room watching the news at about 11:20 AM. I took Mom’s dirty clothes home to wash.

APRIL 10 - 12, 2013

April 10, 2013, Wednesday. I didn’t go to the NH today. Carl reported that he went around 4 or 4:30 PM. He fed the birds. Mom was just returning from her bath. They watched the birds and he gave her a banana.

April 11, 2013, Thursday. I went to the NH about 2:15 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. I went to the office to get help with reapplying for Medicaid. They said I need the SS Award letter for 2013. I can’t find it.  I went to Mom’s room. Mom was resting on her bed, no glasses, no O2, no sound on DVD. I opened the blinds, cleaned her glasses.  We did some personal care while watching the birds. We channel surfed then I called for help to get Mom up. I changed Mom and got her up then C.N.A. Sandra came. I changed the DVD then accompanied Mom to dining room II for Bingo activity. I left about 3:30 PM. Mom’s dentist called and said they need a letter from the family stating that Mom needs dentures. Austin Dental Cares said they will email me the content necessary for the letter.

April 12, 2013, Friday. This morning I discovered that I can't open the document from the dentist on my computer so I called the Austin Cares Dental and asked them to send to my ACC email. I will open it and print it at school on Monday. I also forwarded it from my home computer to the ACC address. I went to the NH about 3:30. I fed the birds, Blinds open. Mom was on her bed watching the DVD, sound down, O2 on, glasses on. I encouraged her to get up and go to the piano concert but she refused. I gave her a chocolate and pushed button for help. Yvonne came immediately and between us we got Mom up. Yvonne changed her. Mom was recalcitrant and uncooperative at first. I brushed her hair with the conditioner. We watched the birds then she propelled herself from the room. I accompanied her to the dining room II. Jo the volunteer came immediately to ask what soft drink Mom would like. Mom refused to decide today. Jo brought her a cup of root beer with crackers and cheese. Tara (Recreation) took Mom’s photograph for the art exhibit. The pianist was good, playing favorites. The room was packed. I told Annie I was leaving and she is expressed excitement about Mom’s art work chosen for the exhibit. I left about 4 PM with Mom’s dirty clothes.

APRIL 7 - 9, 2013

April 7, 2013, Sunday. I went to the NH about 4 PM with the repaired birdfeeder. I fed the birds, hung the feeder, blinds open. Mom wasn’t in her room. I found her in Dining room II with UT business women club volunteers. Mom had a book of questions about “the old days” like Johnny Carson and “knickers”. Mom wasn’t responding to the stimuli.  I think the print was too small plus she was having difficulty following verbalization, speaking. We went to the nurses desk and I checked Mom out for a ride in the car. Rachel, the Med nurse, assisted us and Yvonne, too. We rode around slowly in the neighborhoods and looked at the flowers. Mom noted the flowers and trees. We bought a soda at the convenience store and Mom read the signs to me. We returned to the NH and watched the birds at the feeders. Mom refused to go back to the NH initially but when I brought the w/c to her door, she got out of the car and we went inside “to get a sweater.” In Mom’s room, Tina reported that she has seen a couple of parrots again. Maybe they will return to our feeders. I accompanied Mom to the dining room where serving had begun. I left about 5:45 PM.

April 8, 2013, Monday. I didn’t go to the NH today.

April 9, 2013, Tuesday. I went to the NH about 1:20 PM today. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was resting on her bed, O2 on, glasses on, sound turned down on DVD. Tina told me she (Tina) had been sick the night before. Mom & I hung up clean clothes I had brought. Mom was lethargic in responses and participation and her right leg kept twitching. I massaged her foot and she did some leg lifts. I got the nail polish out and we did a manicure.  We channel surfed and watched Winged Migration for awhile.  The birds outside the window were very entertaining. We did some personal care and Mom ate some Fritos she had won at Bingo last week. I asked Mom if she wanted to continue to watch W.M. or Carmen, the opera. She opted for the Opera. I reminded her of the Party at 3:30 with cake & music then left Mom resting about 2:30 PM. I returned about 3:35 PM and fed the birds again. I went to Mom’s room to make sure she wasn’t there and she wasn’t. I could hear the party going. I left about 3:40 PM.

APRIL 5 AND 6, 2013

April 5, 2013, Friday. I went to the NH about 3:20 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. I went inside the fenced area and got the broken birdfeeder. Mom was not in her room. I got a glasses lens wipe and changed the DVD to American in Paris and opened the blinds. The birds came. Mom was in dining room II at a table with two other residents, one was working a puzzle. I cleaned Mom’s glasses and noticed Mom had on the same pants as the day before. We sang and clapped with the music. I traced Mom’s hand and she traced mine and I did a small sketch of her. Mom had a root beer and that fake popcorn they serve. We returned to her room, the bed made and blinds closed again. I opened the blinds, no birds or seed so I placed Mom to watch me go to the car and get more seed. When I returned, Tina reported she had seen the hawk.  I gave Mom a chocolate and offered one to the C.N.A. She declined. I cleaned Mom’s hands and the birds came. I left Mom in her wheelchair, locked, in her room watching the birds and the DVD about 4:45 PM.

April 6, 2013, Saturday. I went to the NH about 3:30 PM. I fed the birds, blinds open. There was some feed in the feeder then I saw the fresh flowers in Mom’s room so I knew Carl had visited. The call light was on at room 205. Tamara from Recreation said she had put on the call light because Mom had said that she wanted to go hear the piano concert.  I changed Mom and did some personal care, we watched the birds then went to the concert. We saw Yvonne and she apologized for not coming in time to help. The concert was a medley of old favorites, beautifully played. Mom & I clapped and danced along with the music. We returned to her room, had a chocolate and Cheetos and watched the birds. We hung up the clean clothes I brought and I gathered her dirty clothes. Mom was slow with problem solving today. I wrote comments down for her today. Tina said something about Carl’s visit but mixed it with other stories so I’m not sure what she was talking about beyond gratitude for the flowers. Tina put Mom’s copy of the April Rec. schedule in Mom’s drawer and also said that she thought Mom may have hurt her elbow but I did not find any new injuries.  I posted the schedule, then accompanied Mom to the dining room. Mom propelled herself about half the way. I got Mom a coffee and left about 5:15 PM.

 

APRIL 3 & 4, 2013

April 3, 2013, Wednesday. I went to the NH about 3:40. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was in the dark in her room, glasses on, O2 on but the nostrils out of place, sound down on DVD. I opened the blinds and we hung up clothes that I brought. Mom was able to problem solve better after a few attempts. The med nurse brought Mom her meds and we talked about the birds which had come in a great flock. Grackles, Rock doves, white wing doves, sparrows. I cleaned Mom’s hands and gave her a chocolate. I got the polish, clipped & filed Mom’s nails, polished her nails. We channel surfed. I changed the DVD. I left her in bed watching Fred A. and the birds about 4:20 PM

April 4, 2013, Thursday. I went to the NH about 2:15 PM today. I fed the birds, blinds closed. I saw a flyer for Riley’s performance this Friday posted at her door so he must have visited. Mom was resting on her bed, watching the DVD, sound down, no glasses, O2 nostrils in place but machine off, no pants. I opened the blinds and checked the O2 compressor for water. It was low so I got the distilled water from the top of Mom’s closet, filled the bottle and turned on the machine. Mom said immediately “I’m hungry”. I got her a banana out of her drawer and a chocolate. I cleaned her hands with Purell first and she ate both. I raised the bed to sitting position, turned up the sound a bit and we watched the birds. I called for assistance. A C.N.A. came and we got her changed, pants on and into her chair. I gave the C.N.A. a chocolate, too. The C.N.A. took Mom’s vitals and had a hard time getting an O2 reading. Mom and I did some rapid nose breathing and she got a reading but it was low, barely 90. I brushed her hair, put cream on her feet & legs and gave her the chapstick to use. We went for a walk to the main office. Mom propelled herself about ¾ of the way. I set her by the front windows while I paid the bill and donated magazines. Mom said that she did Not want to go outside. I think that she could tell it was cold outside! We headed for dining room II where they were getting ready for Bingo. I saw Annie and she asked if Mom had any art to show in an exhibition so we returned to Mom’s room and I gave them one of Mom’s compositions from last November and told her that Pat Stein had Mom’s best work from the painting class. I left Mom at Bingo with a cup of cranberry juice and some cookies. I left about 3:20 PM.

APRIL 1 & 2, 2013

April 1, 2013, Monday. I went to the NH about 3:30 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was not in her room. I got her dirty clothes and put new plastic bag in hamper. I offered some of Mom’s chocolates to Nurses and Yvonne. Then I went to dining room II where Mom was at a table with other residents and Annie, Recreation. I brought Mom back to her room, changed the DVD, did a little personal care and gave Mom a couple of chocolates. We watched the birds and I filed her nails. I took Mom back to dining room II and the Activity with Annie and left with the clothes about 4 PM.

April 2, 2013, Tuesday. Foxy & I went to the NH about 9 AM this morning. Foxy waited in the car (drizzly morning). I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was resting on her bed, no glasses, no O2, sound down on the DVD. I opened the blinds, changed the DVD to F. Astair, got mom’s glasses, cleaned them, turned up sound. C.N.A. Flo came in and changed Mom. She was friendly & forthcoming. Flo reported that Mom’s vital signs were good this morning, O2 - 97%. She turned down a chocolate. Mom didn’t. Plus Mom ate a banana. We watched the birds. I left about 10 AM.