LATER THAT DAY - WEDNESDAY, 7/31/13

LATER: I returned to the NH about 7 PM. I fed the birds, blinds open. C.N.A. Anabel was putting Mom to bed. She had put Mom’s teeth in the container attached to Mom’s glasses. I took them out of that and put them in another container with cleanser. Anabel put them in a drawer explaining that sometimes in the night Mom will get her teeth and put them in! I gave Mom a chocolate and a gumdrop and we talked about the movie and watched the birds. Tina told me about a letter and I found the card from Quembe. Someone else had read it to Mom earlier but I read it to her again.  I left about 7:25 PM

MOM GETS HER TEETH! MON., JULY 29 - WED. AM, JULY 31, 2013

July 29, 2013, Monday. I went to the NH about 9:45 AM. The vertical feeder was almost full but I put more and in the horizontal feeder plus I put a gallon of water in the bird bath. Mom’s blinds were closed and she was resting on her bed with O2 and Dalmacio had just taken her vital signs. I noted that the bed has not been shoved against the window sill lately. He said they were good. I assisted him in getting Mom up.  Mom & I did some personal care, watched the birds and I gave Mom a baby banana. We went to the Great Room and Mom joined the exercise and trivia group. I did portrait sketches of Helen and Sarah this morning. Plus I joined Mom in the Trivia part of the games. Mom was nodding off during much of the activities today. We returned to her room, we watched the birds then I took her to the big TV room to wait for lunch. I left about 11:45 AM.

July 30, 2013, Tuesday. I went to the NH about 10:30. I fed the birds, blinds open. Mom was dozing, O2 on, glasses on, then I noticed! She has Teeth!!! I sat her up in bed and we hung up clothes. I gave her a banana to eat and she made quick work of it! I spoke with C.N.A. Dalmacio and Nurse Diana about Mom’s teeth. Nurse Diane wrote the order AND called dietary about getting order changed for mechanical soft instead of puree for Mom. Mom & I channel surfed and watched the birds. We saw 5 parrots. Mom did not want to get up today. She was pretty good at hanging up the clothes but also very dreamy. I left about 11:20 AM.

July 31, 2013, Wednesday. I went to the NH just before 10 AM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was sleeping on her bed, O2 on, glasses on, sound up on the DVD. I opened the blinds and Mom awoke. I started to get her up but she was wet so I called for help. The Med nurse came then the C.N.A. Dalmacio and changed Mom. The fire alarm went off. I got Mom into her w/c. We did some personal care, watched the birds, channel surfed and I gave Mom a banana which she ate right up. I punched a hole in one of her teeth containers and attached it to her glasses lanyard. Then I accompanied her to the Great Room.  The doors had not yet reset from the fire alarm so it was a struggle to get through doors for the wheelchair people. Nevertheless the room was full for cocoa, cookies and the choir performance. I left Mom there a little before 11 AM.

SATURDAY, JULY 27 & SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2013

July 27, 2013, Saturday. Carl called about 2:30 PM and asked how to set the TV. He left it on PBS. It was on a war movie when he arrived. I suspect the TV got messed up in a power outage during last night’s big storm. He also said Mom kept trying to spit and that he filled the birdfeeder twice!. Good Man! I went to the NH about 3:40 PM. Mom was at the music performance, Jon Emery, guitar and singing. Mom & I clapped and waved our hands. Mom kept complaining of fatigue and put her head on the table. We returned to her room and opened the early gift(s) from Bonnie. Magnificent! It was Three wheat straw weavings with beads and decorations brooches with magnets. She also sent a lovely card. I wish I had a camera. Tomorrow! I put her O2 on, brakes on, and changed the channel to DVD, Top Hat. Mom fell asleep in her chair. C.N.A. came and took her vitals and her O2 was low, 89%. I left about 4:50 PM.

July 28, 2013, Sunday. I went to the NH about 2:45 PM with clean clothes. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was sleeping, O2 on, no glasses, sound up on the DVD. I opened the blinds and awoke Mom slowly. I started to get her up but she needed changing. I called for help and a C.N.A. came and I assisted her in changing Mom. Mom had a BM. Mom & I did some personal care and watched the birds. We saw 5 parrots today, maybe six. We hung up the clothes I brought. Mom was pretty good at that today and enjoyed it. I gave her a baby banana and we opened the gift from Bonnie (again). I had my camera today. She tried to eat one of the brooches but then we looked at them and she chose one to wear. Tara came to invite us to Baptist sing-a-long so we went to that. Mom pushed herself some but seemed very weak today. Mom was turning and folding the pages of the song book neatly and obsessively so I gave her a fingernail file which she used vigorously on all her nails. I got Mom a coffee then left with her dirty clothes about 3:45 PM.

THURSDAY, JULY 25 AND FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

July 25, 2013, Thursday. I went to the NH about 10:20 AM. I fed the birds but the vertical feeder was full and blinds were open. O2 tubing was on the floor, no glasses. I got Mom up and into her w/c. C.N.A. Dalmacio came by and asked if we needed assistance. I said no. We did some personal care and watched the birds. I gave Mom a chocolate and I had one, too. I took Mom to the Great room for Nail Spa. She chose a bright pink color called Rock ‘em Red. I got Mom a coffee and we watched the birds from there too. Mom kept saying she was tired. I left Mom in her room watching PBS children’s programming, filing her fingernails, in her wheel chair, locked, about 11:20 AM. Mom seemed tired and self aware today.

July 26, 2013, Friday. I went to the NH about 10:50 AM. I fed the birds, blinds closed and her window sill was at about a 30 degree angle, lifted out of place by her bed. Mom was resting on her bed, O2 on, no glasses, sound down on TV tuned to PBS. I pulled the bed away from the wall and window sill fell into place. I got Mom into her chair. We did some personal care. Eating pieces of Pecos cantaloupe from Bobbie was our main activity this morning. We also channel surfed and watched the birds. I sketched Mom. I accompanied Mom to dining room for lunch. I told C.N.A. Dalmacio and Nurse Diane about the bed lifting the windowsill out of place. Mom showed no distress at my leaving at about 11:40 AM.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013 - ART DAY

July 24, 2013, Wednesday. I went to the NH about 2:30 PM. I fed the birds blinds open, no birds in sight. Mom was resting on her bed, O2 machine on but the nostril tube was on the floor as if Mom had discarded it. I picked it up and got Mom into her wheelchair. We did some personal care then went to the great room for Arts and Crafts. Mom did a watercolor. She told me the figures (that look like a fence) were people. Then she decorated a frame with stones and sea shells. I asked her who’s photo should we put in it and she said “mine!” And who would you like to give it to? She said “Riley”.  We returned to her room and the birds came plus we watched some of Top Hat. I put an old photograph of Mom in high school in the frame. She wanted to go to bed but when she stood she was sopping wet so I called for help. C.N.A. Yolanda came and I helped her change Mom and get a new dress. Then Mom wanted to get up so Yolanda took Mom to the big TV room and I left about 4:30 PM.

BONNIE CALLED FROM KANSAS

Bonnie called and said that Granma Clark (Geraldine's mother) had three boyfriends after Henry Harrison died.The last one was John Fletcher, chief of the Arapaho/Cheyenne tribe around Weatherford and an old family friend. Minnie Jane accompanied him to a powwow at Anadarko and they climbed to the top of the bleachers when John F. complained of not feeling well. Then he keeled over dead in Granma's lap. She didn't date after that. I told Bonnie to write down her stories.

SATURDAY, JULY 20 - TUESDAY, 23, 2013

July 20, 2013, Saturday. I went to the NH about 1 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was waiting by the Nurses station in a line with other residents, apparently waiting her turn after lunch to be transported to her room. She was happy to see me. I took Mom to her room and assisted her getting into bed. I gave her two chocolates and changed the DVD to Parrots. We watched the birds out the window and Mom said she was tired and ready to rest. I left about 1:30 PM. Later about 2:30 PM I spoke to Carl on the phone and he was at the NH visiting Mom. He said he cleaned up the flowers.

July 21, 2013, Sunday. I went to the NH about 3:15 PM. I fed the birds, half of the blinds were open. I didn’t have enough birdseed to fill the feeder. Mom was not in her room but the O2 machine was running and her glasses were on her dressing table so I got those and a chocolate. I found her in the Great Room in the Methodist Service. She ate the chocolate and was glad to have the chocolate. We sang songs and said some prayers and Mom took communion today! She was waving her hands with the music and rather enthusiastic for the sedate service but we had fun. We returned to her room. Tina was sleeping in bed, not well today. We watched the birds and I gave her a banana. We did some personal care and I left her watching a different DVD (Easter Parade), O2 on, in her wheelchair, eating the banana, wheels locked about 5 PM. I noticed the birds eating the extra communion wafers on the ground out back. Bill added birdseed on his way home from Carl’s.

July 22, 2013, Monday. Volunteer day. I went to the NH about 9:45 AM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. The vertical feeder was still about ¾ full. Mom was in bed, no glasses, sound up on the DVD, O2 machine on but the plastic tubing was not attached to the machine nor to Mom. I got Mom up. We did some personal care and I gave her a chocolate. We went to the Great Room and I got her a coffee and put her where she could see the birds at the feeder. The volunteer for the Sing-a-long did not show so Annie conducted the sing-a-long. I sketched two Residents, Orie and Maxine. Maxine’s daughter was there, too. Mom & I sang a long, too. We returned to her room and I got assistance to hook up the O2. I left Mom in her w/c watching the DVD, having a chocolate, watching the birds in her room about 11:20 AM.

July 23, 2013, Tuesday. I went to the NH about 10:50 AM. I fed the birds, blinds open. Mom was resting on her bed, no O2, glasses on, DVD on, sound up. I called for help but none came so I changed Mom and got her up. We did some personal care, watched the birds and hung up some clothes. We played patty-cake and channel surfed. I changed the channel back to the DVD then accompanied Mom to the dining room for lunch. She propelled herself over half the way. I got her a coffee. Mom showed no anxiety at my leaving and was cheerful today. I left about 11:40 AM.

ESCAPE! THURSDAY, JULY 18 AND FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2013

July 18, 2013, Thursday. Riley reports that he took a chocolate shake to Mom last night. When he arrived she was in bed with no O2 so he put it on her. Tina said “different help”. I went to the NH about 11 AM this morning with clean clothes to hang up. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was with Tara returning from an activity in the Great Room. Mom & I went to her room and looked at the birds and hung up clothes. Mom had a lot of difficulty with tasks today. We went for a walk around outside the facility and looked at the trees, the clouds, and the birds. We could hear the parrots then saw them at the feeder. I took her to the dining room for lunch then talked with Donna and Tara about hand clapping and blood pressure. I left about 12:05 PM.

July 19, 2013, Friday. From one extreme to the other. John from RNC called about 7:50 AM. He said Mom left the building this morning and made it all the way to Burnet Road. They have a Wander Guard on her, now. The monitor sets off alarms and locks the door if she tries to go through one. I went to the NH about 10:15. I fed the birds, blinds closed. I  talked with Nurse Lian then got Mom into our folding wheelchair and took her for a ride. She did not have on O2 when I came in this morning. At Walgreens, she waited in the car and I bought candy and stuff. Then we drove to the park sat in the shade and ate candy, drank some coke and looked at the people and birds. We returned to the NH, set off the alarms, and went to her room. I called for assistance and got Mom mostly changed when C.N.A. Franka came and got Mom into her wheelchair and dressed. Franka took Mom to the dining room. I gathered her dirty clothes, stashed candy in her drawer then went to say good-bye to Mom. I left NH with clothes and folding w/c about Noon.

ALL'S WELL WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

July 17, 2013, Wednesday. I went to NH about 9:35 AM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was on her bed with O2 (level 4), glasses on. Tina said Mom put herself in the bed and it looked it, all catawampus on the bed. Mom was glad to see me and said she wanted to get up and go to coffee, music program. I helped Mom into her w/c. We did some personal care, watched the birds, changed TV to news. I noticed new flowers. Carl and Charlotte visited yesterday as did Riley. We went to the Great Room and I got Mom a coffee. She wheeled herself about half the way.  I put on a Fred A. DVD as I left about 9:50 AM. Mom seemed perky. I returned to NH about 2:40 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. I gave Bay leaves to Nurses and staff at nurse’s station. Mom was resting on her bed, O2 on, glasses off, no slacks on. C.N.A. came and assisted getting Mom up and dressed. We watched the birds and Mom ate a banana. We went to the Great Room and Mom did a watercolor. Then she went to the fruit-kabob activity. I left Mom about 4 PM. Mom was alert and spoke for herself today.

TUESDAY, JULY 16, 2013 CONTINUED

CONTINUED: I returned to NH about 11:20 AM. I spoke with Dr. Fran and Nurse Diane and Nurse Audra about Mom. They are going to do a chest x-ray, keep an eye on her. Mom was resting in her bed. Mom told Dr. Fran that her chest hurt. After Dr. Fran left we did some personal care and I got a Boost for her. I assisted her in drinking it all down. We watched the birds and Singing in the Rain. Again she told me that she had not seen this film before. Her hands and feet are very, very cold. She identified her children but mixed up the identities somewhat. Same with her siblings and her parents. She expressed no desire to accompany me when I left about 12:20 PM. She said she wanted to rest.

TUESDAY, JULY 16, 2013 EMERGENCY AND SUNDAY, JULY 15

July 16, 2013, Tuesday. (EMERGENCY) Nurse Diane telephoned about 9:15 AM. She said that I needed to come “right now”. I got to the NH about 9:30 AM. I fed the birds and went inside. When I got to Mom’s room, Hospice nurse, Regina, was with Mom. She reported that they couldn’t get BP nor O2 on Mom, that she was not swallowing her spittle or anything else and that she had ‘thrown-up”. Nurse had turned O2 up to “4”. I opened the blinds, talked to Mom. We looked at the birds and played patty-cake. We talked about her siblings, parents and her kids. I gave her some water which she drank, sitting-up. Her color improved and Regina got a BP of 140 over 90, or something like that. I turned up the sound on Singing in the Rain. Mom said she had not seen this film. I went out and fed the birds again. Mom dozed off, seeming much better. Nurse Regina said that Dr. Maxwell was on the premises and would see Mom later. We talked about a medication for absorbing liquids. I agreed better to have it on hand and not use it if not needed. I left about 9:55 AM.  

July 15, 2013, Monday. It was just sprinkling when I put the birdseed in the feeder about 9:45 AM. I opened the blinds in Mom’s room and she woke up glad to see me.O2 and glasses were tangled when I took her glasses to clean. I turned off her O2 when I got her up into her chair. She watched the birds while we did some personal care then she had a chocolate on the way to the Great Room. The rain came down hard while she drank her coffee and I drew a sketch of Judy. She was sleeping in her chair during the scrabble activity so I took Mom back to her room and turned up the sound on Singing in the rain. I left her in bed with O2 and went to the TV room where I sketched Elizabeth. I said good-bye to Annie in Rec. when I left about 11:20 AM. I also talked with Luz about Mom’s skin tear which is on/near Mom’s previous skin tear on R leg.

 

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10 - SUNDAY, JULY 14, 2013

July 10, 2013. Wednesday. I went to the NH about 3:20 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was in the Great room at the Arts & crafts activity. Mom and I worked together and decorated a sun visor with Mom’s name (“Jerry”) and some jewels & self stick doodads. We went to the big windows, watched the birds, and ate the banana I had brought while the glue dried. We saw Carl arrive with fresh flowers. Mom & I returned to her room and visited with Carl. Mom really enjoyed making the Visor today and it looked good on her.  I changed the DVD, we hung up some clothes, did some personal care and I gathered up her dirty clothes to take home. Mom was somewhat lethargic today. I accompanied Mom back to the great room where singing was in progress. I left with the dirty clothes about 4:45 PM.

July 11, 2013, Thursday. I went to the NH about 10:35 AM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was resting on her bed, O2 on, glasses off, DVD on, sound down. I got Mom up. We did personal care, watched the birds and I accompanied her to Nail Spa. She chose a bright pink shade. The volunteers did most of the work with a young girl named Charisma painted Mom’s nails. Then Mom and I went for a walk around the facility. We stopped at the spinet in dining room I and Mom and I played scales. Mom was awkward and could not be persuaded to play arpeggios. I got a piece of sheet music from the piano stool and Mom seemed to be able to read the music somewhat. Mom does not readily use both hands for tasks. I say “Use both hands” and she responds sometimes. We watched traffic out the front windows then I accompanied her to her place in the dining hall and got her a cranberry juice drink. I left about 11:50 PM.

July 12, 2013, Friday. I went to the NH about 3:30 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom’s glasses were in her room although she was in the Great Room. I took her glasses, glasses cleanser, and a banana to Mom in the Great Room. Recorded music was playing and volunteers and recreation were serving ice cream bars, cookies, cheese crackers and sodas. Mom ate about half the banana and all of the goodies. We returned to Mom’s room about 4:20, watched the birds, channel surfed. We did some personal care. C.N.A. Anabel brought Mom her meds. I accompanied Mom on a short walk then to the dining room. She propelled herself about half the time and was lethargic today. I left about 5:10 PM.

July 13, 2013, Saturday.  I went to the NH about 11 AM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was asleep on her bed, O2 on, DVD on, sound up, glasses off. Mom awoke when I opened the blinds and pointed at the birds and told me they were from Dallas (?).  I got Mom into her w/c. we did some personal care and she ate about ½ of a banana left by Carl. Mom had on the same clothes as she did yesterday. We channel surfed and watched the birds then worked on adding cloves to a lime for a pleasant odor. This is an expansion of a previous Rec. Dept. activity. Mom did pretty well by the time we quit. I accompanied Mom to the dining room for lunch and left about noon.

July 14, 2013, Sunday.  (Carl’s Birthday) I arrived about 3:30 PM with birdseed for the feeder and a few clean dresses for Mom. Mom was in the TV room with some other residents. I greeted her and she was happy to see me. We went to her room, watched the birds, did some personal care, channel surfed and hung up the clothes. Mom was a little anxious and did well hanging up the dresses. She told me that she was worried about her kids who she had left in NY. I went through a few of the kids (Carl, Riley, Brooks, Lu) and told her where they lived now with spouses and houses. She was glad to hear of Helen’s marriage….and Riley’s, Carl’s and Brooks’s homes and weddings. I trimmed her fingernails and she clipped a couple of mine. We went to the dining room and got the last half of the church service, prayed and sang. Mom enjoyed that and told me about going to church in Weatherford and in NY, too. We went around the facility a bit then I took her back to the TV room, brakes on. I left her there about 5 PM. Nurse Audra told me that Mom got another skin tear on her R leg. I had noted a rather large bandage where there had been a small one before.

JULY 8, MONDAY AND JULY 9, TUESDAY, 2013

July 8, 2013, Monday. I went to the NH about 9:40 AM. Mom was sitting in her w/c in her room watching TV, sound down, no glasses but dressed nicely. The C.N.A. came and changed Mom standing up. Mom did well standing but we had to change her socks. We did some personal care then went to the Great Room. I got Mom a coffee. I drew portrait sketches of Bill and of Delta. Mom joined the circle of discussion and jokes conducted by Annie. Riley came by and visited with Mom but left before I had finished the sketches. He also added birdseed. I accompanied Mom back to her room and helped get on her bed. We saw seven parrots today! I left about 11:10 AM.

July 9, 2013, Tuesday. I went to the NH about 10:30 AM. I fed the birds, blinds open. Mom was in the hallway wheeling toward me with a pink carnation wrapped in a baby wipe. We returned to her room and from conversation and evidence I surmised that Mom had swiped the carnation from Tina’s bud vase. I put it back. Mom was full of spunk today. We watched the birds, channel surfed and did some personal care. We went to the Great room and watched the birds from there for awhile. Activities had a News discussion in progress conducted by Donna. We returned to her room. Nurse Luz and Nurse Audra checked on Mom’s skin tear and re-bandaged it. Mom and I looked at photographs which delighted her today. She correctly identified everyone except herself in the more recent photos (after 1970). She asked me to move the photo of her home in Weatherford closer so she could see it and we talked about the paintings in her room. She told me they were by “someone famous”. I accompanied her to the dining room for lunch. Today she was insistent that she wanted to go home and see her mother. I explained that she needed care and told her about the birthday party they are going to have this afternoon. I left her about Noon.

SATURDAY, JULY 6, AND SUNDAY, JULY 7, 2013

This really doesn't look like Mom but she wasn't holding still for me.

July 6, 2013, Saturday. I went to the NH about 10:30 AM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was in the Great Room at the Fellowship of the Breath of Life Church. This involved flag waving, emotional preaching and lovely a cappella singing.  One lady has a fierce voice. Mom & I returned to her room and I got her a scarf and sweater. She ate a small piece of peach mincemeat pie I brought from home. I changed the DVD to Fred Astaire/Gracy Allen movie and we watched the birds. Three parrots were there today with the white wing doves, sparrows, and rock doves. One appears to be a juvenile.  I noted the freshened flowers and Carl signed in last night about 7 PM. Riley had visited about 8 PM the night before. Nurse Audra came by and checked mom’s skin tear which looks good. Mom was somewhat contrary today but ate all her pie despite saying that she did not want it between bites. I accompanied Mom to the dining room for lunch. I left about Noon.

July 7, 2013, Sunday. I went to the NH about 3:30 PM. I fed the birds blinds closed.  Mom was resting on her bed, O2 on, glasses on, DVD playing, sound down. Nurse Audra was with Tina with curtains drawn. I opened the blinds and Mom said that she did Not want to get up. I brought dried boughs of bay leaf to harvest the leaves with Mom. She stayed on her bed and we broke the leaves off and put them in the paper bag. At first Mom was very awkward and slow but soon was going at it systematically and quickly. The C.N.A. came in to change Mom and we gave her some bay leaf. I assisted the C.N.A. and we got Mom into her chair. I brushed Mom’s hair then accompanied Mom to the Great Room to hear Mr. Hudspeth play the piano.  I got Mom a coffee and sketched Mom while we listened. Mr. Hudspeth is hard to understand when he talks but he plays beautifully. We returned to Mom’s room, channel surfed and sorted the bay leaf some more. I accompanied Mom on a walk around the facility. She propelled herself about half the time. Then I took her to her place for supper. I left the boughs of bay leaf and the bay leaf we had harvested with Tara in Recreation. I left the facility about 5 PM.

THURSDAY, JULY 4 AND FRIDAY, JULY 5, 2013

July 4, 2013, Thursday. HAPPY FOURTH! I went to the NH about 3:30 PM. Mom was in the Great Room getting ready for festivities. I took her clean clothes to her room. They were handing out cookies and lemonade and photocopied words for Patriotic Songs. We sang songs. Isabella, another resident, also gave Mom Pringles, which Mom ate easily with no teeth. Mom sang weakly but we clapped and waved our hands. Then we rang bells for the 13 Colonies, part of a National campaign. I accompanied Mom back to her room, changed the DVD, did some personal care, and watched the birds. While we hung up clothes I asked Mom which she liked better and she said that they were the same color. One was turquoise and one was orange. So I got other clothes and asked her about color comparisons. Today she seemed color blind? I accompanied Mom to the dining room for supper. I spoke to Nurse Steve about Mom’s apparent color blindness. He had no information about this. I got Mom a coffee and left her in the dining room, brakes on, about 5 PM.

July 5, 2013, Friday. I went to the NH about 11 AM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was in her w/c in her room, watching TV, no glasses, no O2, no sound on DVD. I opened the blinds and we watched the birds. We did some personal care and I turned up the sound on the TV. We hung up the clean clothes I brought. Too many clothes so some went in the drawer. I made a point of asking Mom about colors. She sees the red roses just fine and the bright yellow mums.  Some subtle shades she identifies as brown and she is not seeing blue as indicated in the online research I did about elderly losing color vision. She says that the parrots are brown but sees the green of the trees. Might this contribute to her preference for the black and white films besides just the connection to her past? We went for a walk and sat outside, out front, and looked at the trees, plants and cars. I don’t think she sees blue sky but she does see the green plants and red cars. I accompanied Mom to the dining room for lunch and got her a coffee. I left about Noon.

TUESDAY, JULY 2 AND WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

July 2, 2013, Tuesday. I went to the NH about 10 AM. I fed the birds, blinds open. I signed Mom out at the nurse station then went to her room. Mom was resting on her bed, glasses on, no O2, DVD on, sound down. A C.N.A. came and changed Mom and we got her into the wheelchair I brought for traveling. Mom & I did some personal care then went to the car. On the way out I spoke to Donna from Rec. about the portrait sketches. It’s in the newsletter to contact Rec. for their residents. Mom & I went for a ride, slowly through the neighborhoods. It is Large Trash Pick-up week and I found a “new” hose to replace my leaky one. We got a soft drink at a convenience store and Mom waited in the car while I got some coffee at Fresh Plus. While Mom enjoyed the ride on this pleasant morning she was not very responsive to the environment even when we saw a train. I mentioned this to Nurse Diane and Dr. Maxwell when we returned to the NH.  I took Mom to her room for a chocolate and to change wheelchairs. I accompanied Mom to dining room for lunch. I left the NH with the wheelchair about noon.

July 3, 2013, Wednesday. I went to the NH about 3:40 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was resting on her bed, O2 on, glasses on, DVD played, sound down, under covers. I noticed beautiful new flowers from Carl and his note that he visited yesterday afternoon. I got Mom up and into her w/c. We watched the birds, channel surfed and did some personal care. I accompanied Mom to the Great Room (dining room II) for the art program and arts and crafts. Mom painted a watercolor with assistance from me. Then we went to the crafts table and she twisted two red, white & blue bracelets for patriotic festivities tomorrow. Mom was lethargic, mentally & physically. I accompanied her back to her room and assisted her back to bed and put the O2 on. I turned up the DVD. We watched the birds. I left about 3:40 PM.

SUNDAY, JUNE 30 AND MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013

June 30, 2013, Sunday. I went to the NH about 11:40 AM. I fed the birds, blinds open. Mom was resting on her bed, no O2, no glasses. She saw the birds attacking the seed. She said she wanted to get up but she was sopping wet. I called for help and started to change her. A C.N.A. came and changed Mom. We got her up. I accompanied Mom to the dining room for lunch at about 12:10 PM. We did a little doodling in my sketch book while we waited for lunch.  The med nurse gave her meds and a Boost dietary supplement. Mom was served and refused to eat. I tasted her food and it was good to okay. She was very contrary and insistent that she did not want to eat. Dalmaccio was the feeder at our table. He was patronizing to Mom.  I threatened to leave and she said "Fine". I left and went to the farmers market and brought back a fresh peach. I got back to the NH about 1:10 PM. One of the C.N.A.s told me that Mom had eaten her breakfast but did not eat her lunch. I went to her room and peeled, cut up and fed her the peach. She ate it all. Riley came by and fed the birds again and visited. Mom was so glad to see him. I left Mom resting and watching her DVD about 1:30 PM.

July 1, 2013, Monday. I went to the NH about 9:30 AM. I fed the birds, blinds closed.  Mom was resting on her bed, O2 on, no glasses, sound down on DVD, no pad under her. I started to get her up and noted that she was very wet. Nurse Audra came in to give meds and she changed Mom with my assistance. I got Mom up and we did some personal care. I changed the DVD to another Fred A. DVD and we watched the birds. I accompanied Mom to dining room II and got her a coffee which she drank rapidly. I did portraits sketches of 2 residents, Gwen (who is also a volunteer) and of Dave. Mom participated in a word game with Annie about the Declaration of Independence. I accompanied Mom back to her room before the game was finished and assisted her into bed. I left the NH about 11:10 AM.