SOON THE EXHIBIT

The exhibit about caring for Mom, or really about Geraldine, is coming soon. I applied for this exhibit a year ago when Mom was with us. I did NOT expect her to die before the exhibit. I thought she would get to see it. 

Old Bakery and Emporium

 1006 Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78701

512-477-5961

“THE LONG VIEW”

 Artwork

by

 MELANIE HICKERSON

In honor of

GERALDINE CLARK HICKERSON

August 19, 1919 – March 14, 2014

MOM DREW, TOO

Sometimes I could coax Mom to draw. The middle drawing is her portrait of me.

This is a sketch we did together of the Christmas Tree.

This is another portrait of me by Mom.

SKETCHES OF MOM

I didn't have a chance to sketch Mom on every visit. Sometimes we were occupied with the entertainment or eating a meal.

Mom was often leaning to her left.

FOUND! ANOTHER MOM-AT-NH SKETCH

Looking for a phone number in last year's pocket calender I found another sketch of Mom at the Nursing Home! I do keep finding sketches on scraps, tucked away here and there.

Here's another in a little notebook, an entertainer at RNC.

 Then two more from my sketch book. She liked stuffed animals.

AT THE NURSING HOME - MORE SKETCHES

There was something on TV and she told me about walking the cow to the pasture.

Mom was coloring with purple cap on.

She got a perm.

NURSING HOME SKETCHES

MEMORIAL MARCH 30, 2014

March 30, 2014, Sunday. Memorial Celebration for Geraldine Clark Hickerson at my house was scheduled for 2-5 PM. People started arriving about Noon. So many people came and brought food like crazy. It was an interesting and very nice group of people. I had rearranged the house and paintings with help from Sharon, Bill, Bobbie and Mary. I had to empty the painting storage to find the big Rousseau painting and I can’t get all the paintings back in the closet. The stories were great! One thing is that Mom supplied lots of adventures and amazing stories for the world. I heard new ones! Brooks traveled again from OR and helped start putting everything back the next day. I had great help putting the food away as best we could after the party was over. Kim, Stuart, Brooks and I sat and talked into the night.

Set up for the Memorial.

It was a beautiful day so people sat and ate on the porch. There were children, too, to represent Life Goes On.

VISIT, THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014

March 20, 2014, Thursday. I went to Cooke-Walden to see Mom about 10 AM. She was in a dimly lit room in her green dress with a blanket over her. When I stroked her head, she was as cold as ice. The director, Zachary Kent, left us alone for awhile and I sketched her. She really wasn’t there and it was nice to feel that. I got to talk at her a bit, too. It is such a complicated bunch of feelings. Geraldine has left this world of troubles and had a long ride. Joys and fun and terrible trials all gathered in this mystery we call Life.

FUNERAL HOME, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2014

March 19, 2014, Wednesday. I went to the funeral home yesterday, then to Retirement and Nursing Center. Afterwards I talked to Social Security, the Medical Examiner’s office and Mom’s bank on the phone. Enlightening.  The M.E. says that they have ruled Mom’s death as accidental with complications due to congestive heart disease and osteoporosis. I did not see any evidence of surface trauma but they say the break is consistent with some kind of trauma. Mom did forget that she couldn’t walk from time to time. I am so grateful for Mom’s pre paid cremation arrangement. The funeral home encounter was difficult, emotionally wrought but the big decisions were already made. I have trouble putting on my shoes much less trying to make big decisions. I have a very nice urn at the house ready for the ashes. They say the ashes will be ready before the Memorial Celebration on Sunday March 30, 2014, 2-5 PM. Also I found out that prepayment transfers to other funeral homes AND is refundable at about 90% if decisions change. Pre-pay your final arrangements!!! Prices are going up and up! Everyone is being very kind and helpful.

MOM LEFT THE STAGE

March 15, 2014, Saturday. I got a phone message from Nurse Mary at RNC about 1 AM that Mom had been pronounced dead by Hospice Nurse, Kathy Ballard, at 11:57 PM, March 14, 2014. August 19, 1919 – March 14, 2014 – Great synchronicity!  I called Kathy B. about 7 AM and spoke with her. She said because of the hip fracture Mom’s remains had been transferred to the M.E. office for examination. I called the M.E. office and spoke with Olivia. She said that there would not be cutting open the remains but would look at the records and look at the body to see that all was consistent then call Cook Walden to get Mom’s remains for cremation. I called Riley and told him. I will send out a family email and talk with the newspaper about the obituary today. We will have to plan a Memorial Service, probably at my house and probably next Sunday March 23, 2014 but that could change. Mom was 94 years old. She was a great personality in this world.

THURS., MARCH 13 & FRI., MARCH 14, 2013

March 13, 2014, Thursday.  I took Brooks and his luggage to the NH this morning about 10 AM. He will leave from NH this afternoon about 2 PM with his friend, Chuck. I spoke to Nurse Julia and Nurse John. They said that Wendy had bathed Mom this AM so they had given Mom pain meds for the procedure. We saw Wendy in the hallway and she said Mom told her “leave me alone!” That’s a good sign! I opened the blinds when we went in and the squirrel was performing his acrobatics on the birdfeeder and there were birds around. Mom was resting, O2 on but cannula out of place. Mom was grouchy at first but I clapped hands, clapped her hands and sang “hey good looking…” and she smiled and attempted to participate, moving her mouth and smiling. We got cannula in place. I  left, went to the car and got birdseed and added to the feeder. From outside I saw C.N.A.s replacing the bed pad with folded sheet. Nurse John said that bed pad was there temporarily to assist in drying Mom. I went back inside, said good bye to Brooks. Annie from Activities came by and  introduced them and Brooks took a picture. I left about 10:20 AM.

March 14, 2014, Friday. Regina called at 1:30 PM from the NH to say that Mom has a low grade temperature, about 100. She said Mom’s lungs sound good so she suspects urinary tract infection (UTI). I asked about the triangle pillow and Regina said it couldn’t be here until Monday. I went to the NH about 4:40 PM. I filled both birdfeeders, blinds open. Mom was asleep with many pillows around her. The TV was on TCM. I changed the DVD and then put TV on TVLand for awhile (Andy Griffith). I couldn’t get Mom to wake up really. I did get some response from singing, patting her feet and hand slapping. She opened one eye occasionally. She did feel warm to touch and was coughing occasionally. C.N.A. Sefakor brought Mom’s tray. Dr. Maxwell came by and checked Mom’s pulse, temperature, lungs and tried to wake Mom. She said maybe they could reduce her pain meds but first she would talk to the C.N.A. about Mom’s pain level. I did not perceive any moaning or pain complaint from Mom. Mom ate a few bites of the foods and all of the dessert. I got her to drink about 20% of a cup of thickened water, one teaspoon at a time. Mom did hold my hand and made small responses to touch, stroking, hair brushing. C.N.A. Yvonne came by and petted, cooed to Mom and got Mom to open one eye and look at her. I put the DVD on and left about 6 PM. At home there was a long message from the Chaplain at Hospice, offering solace and giving instructions for reaching them in case I want or need them over the week-end.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

March 12, 2014, Wednesday. Brooks walked to the NH this morning about 10 AM. Suzy came in and I met them at the NH and we went to lunch. We returned to the facility and Suzy left for home. C.N.A. Sandra and Adam changed Mom in her bed. Sandra said no more bed pads for Mom with the new air mattress. Brooks said that Regina told him that the triangle pillow hadn’t come yet. I went home about 2:15 PM and returned afoot about 2:45 PM and Brooks and I went to the Care Plan meeting. Riley showed up and came, too. Nurse Rose, the Hospice social worker, the facility social worker Rebecca, Hospice nurse Regina, Donna from Recreation all attended also.

1. The prognosis for Mom’s general decline is not good over the next 12 months. Mom may recover from fracture but not to previous state of wellness.

2.  Mom is on methadone for pain.

3.  The reason for no bed pads is the aeration is inhibited by bed pads.

4. Nursing will try to put her own clothes on her instead of the NH gowns.

5. Signs to watch for are unproductive cough, congestion, flushed face and expressions of distress or discomfort.

6. She gets nebulizer treatment 2 or 3 x daily.

7. Scheduled eye exam will be postponed until Mom can sit in a wheelchair.

8. Mom gets Boost as much as 3 x daily (450 calories each Boost) Mom has gained weight.

9. Watch for signs of bed sores on back side.

Brooks and I returned to Mom’s room. I gave her a drink. Brooks fed Mom some banana. We left the NH about 4 PM. Brooks was able to sketch Mom today and spent a lot of time with Mom.

TUES., MARCH 11, 2014

March 11, 2014, Tuesday. Brooks and I walked over to the NH about 10:15 this morning. Mom was sleeping in her bed. I looked at her toenails, feet. Brooks said he would trim her toenails. We put some cream on her and I checked her clothing. Her clothing looks in good shape and not much in the hamper. She has on a NH nightie this morning. The bird feeder looked good. Mom responded to greetings and touch. I left about 10:30 AM. Rebecca, the new Social Worker at the NH, called  about 1:30 PM to confirm care plan meeting tomorrow at 3 PM.  Brooks called from the NH about 5 PM saying that Mom would not wake up to eat. I suggested patting her feet. Brooks returned home about 7 PM and reported that the feet worked and Mom ate some supper. Plus Riley, Carl and Bill A. came by and visited at the NH. Brooks reported that Mom was still very sleepy but did respond somewhat to the visitors.

SUN., MARCH 9 & MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2014

March 9, 2014, Sunday. I went to the NH about 1:40 PM, fed the birds, blinds closed. I spoke with Nurse Jessica about Mom. She said that Mom had just gotten her 2PM pain meds and that she was doing well, today. Jessica said that the special triangle pillow had not arrived yet. The pillow between her legs that I saw yesterday was not the triangle pillow for hip fracture. Mom was sleeping. I straightened her covers, brushed her hair, and got some hangers out of the closet to bring home. I put some cookies in the bottom drawer. C.N.A. Mary and another C.N.A. came to change mother and I suggested more help. They went and got Nurse Jessica. It looked like a 3 person job to me. Mom whined and yelped but it went pretty smoothly. I changed the DVD to American in Paris. Mom dozed off and I left about 2:15 PM. I went back by the NH about 5:15 PM. C.N.A. Selfena was feeding Mom in her bed. Mom was eating well. When I walked in, Mom said “Hi Melanie!”. I greeted Mom and visited with and Mom and the C.N.A. for a few minutes. I saw Nurse Steve and talked to him about Mom, too. He reported that Mom seemed to be doing well today, eating well. I gave Nurse Steve the cookies for staff. I left about 5:30 PM.

  March 10, 2014, Monday. Brooks and I went to the NH this morning about 9:30 AM. We went in the front door and greeted staff on the way to Mom’s room. I introduced Brooks to Nurse Steve.  We met Hospice C.N.A. Wendy at Mom’s door and talked about Mom. Three Staff were changing Mom. C.N.A. Sandra was in charge of Mom this morning. They left and we went in. Mom was sleeping and I opened the blinds. Med Nurse came to give Mom some Boost and Mom was not swallowing the liquid. I got a chocolate and gave it to Mom rather forcefully. Once Mom tasted the chocolate, she swallowed. I showed Brooks around then left him there about 10 AM. I returned to the car and got some feed for the birds and added some birdseed to the feeders. I talked to Brooks on the phone about 3 PM. He was having lunch at La Mancha. About 4 PM he called and asked if Mom had any eye drops. I said no, not in the room. I returned to the NH about 4:30 PM. and added birdseed to the feeders. Brooks said that the staff gave Mom eye drops and Mom seemed more comfortable. When I came into Mom’s room, Mom seemed agitated and was saying “blah, blah, blah…” Brooks reported that staff had arranged the three pillows around Mom to brace her in position. Still no sign of the triangle pillow for this type of injury. I played clap hands with Mom and got her to participate then recited “peas porridge” until her “blah, blah” started to follow the rhyme. Then we played and sang a bit. Brooks reported Mom sleeping most of the time with him today and showed me his sketches. C.N.A. Selfonia brought Mom’s tray and Brooks and I together persuaded Mom to eat fairly well. Brooks said that she ate a few bites of each food at lunch. Mom finished the dessert then Brooks gave her a chocolate. Riley came by briefly on his way to teach Dutch. Mom seemed comfortable and fell asleep soon after eating. I left about 6 PM.  Brooks left shortly thereafter.

SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014

March 8, 2014, Saturday. I responded to an email from Regina, Hospice nurse. I called the NH about 11:55 PM and spoke with Jessica on Unit II about changing Mom’s diet from “mechanical soft” to “puree’”. She said that the change would be made for lunch today. We discussed the change continuing as long as Mom is on pain medication. I went to the NH about 4:15, fed the birds, blinds closed. Carl was in the room just finishing up changing Mom’s flowers. He said Souhange gave some of her flowers to Mom’s arrangement, the orchids and the green mums. Carl left about 4:25 Pm. Mom was sleeping. I gave her the pillow from Helen and Mom smiled. She likes it. Mom had on a shirt instead of just a nightie. She has a triangle pillow between her legs that seems to add to her comfort. I have clean clothes but didn’t bring them. I need to reevaluate her clothing. I brought home her teeth. Mom slept until the food came. I played slap hands with her some and she had moments of being alert and waved her hands around a bit. There was no indication of itching today. She ate about 1/3 of her food. We channel surfed a bit. Mom likes some of the commercials. She looked out the window. I gave her a chocolate, closed the blinds and changed the DVD to Carmen. I left about 6 PM. Mom seemed better today, less sad.

FRI., MARCH 7, 2014

March 7, 2014, Friday. I went to NH about 4 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed.  Mom was sleeping on her bed, O2 on, no teeth, no glasses, in a nightgown, a sheet over her and the new air mattress in evidence. It looked like one of Mom’s lap blankets were under her as a pad. The room was warm so I opened the window for the duration of the visit. Mom was still scratching, itching. She has a sock on her left hand. I took her hand, stroked her, wiped her face and brushed her hair. The distractions did help reduce her scratching, plus put cream on her face, hands, neck. I went to Nurse Sandra and requested puree’ food rather than try to fight with Mom about putting in the teeth. She was licking her lips, too, indicating thirst. I gave her water. I put a denture cleanser tablet in her teeth water. Her teeth might come home for awhile. A C.N.A. brought Mom’s tray and she ate about 1/3 of the food, which is pretty good since she was nodding off during the eating. A Med nurse brought her some Benadryl for the itching and some Boost drink. Mom drank about 2/3 of the cup of Boost. The birds came and Mom did see them at one point. We channel surfed then I put the TV back on the DVD. Mom fell asleep and I sketched her then closed the window, the blinds and left about 6 PM.

THURS., MARCH 6, 2014

March 6, 2014, Thursday.  Carl called from the NH about 3 PM saying that Mom was in a good mood. I went to the NH about 4 PM. I talked to Nurse Steve before I saw Mom. He said that she got itchy from the pain meds which is not unusual so they are changing her meds. They have ordered an air bed for her and some special wedge pillows to hold her leg in place. Mom was sleeping with O2 on, no teeth, no glasses. I cleaned her glasses and Mom awoke. She was rubbing her upper left arm with her right hand and mumbling “ouch, ouch…”. She awoke and seemed happy to see me but was also agitated and uncomfortable.  I had difficulty getting her to put her teeth in. I got a coke from the vending machine and she drank some. C.N.A. Roxanne brought her food. I talked with Roxanne and she explained to me about the strategies they are trying to keep Mom clean and comfortable. She ate some but rather sparingly; a few bites of veggies, a few bites of the rigatoni, and all of the strawberries and whipped cream. A med nurse brought her some milk of magnesia. I cut her fingernails. I noticed some swelling in her L leg and told Nurse Steve. He came to the room and brought some ointment. There is no discoloration and the swelling does not seem inappropriate. Souhange asked me what was wrong and I told her that Mom had broken her leg. I think she was concerned that it might be something contagious. Mom and I saw some birds. I changed the DVD to White Christmas. I had difficulty getting her to give me her teeth but I got them and cleaned them. Mom fell asleep and I left with dirty clothes about 6 PM.

MARCH 5, 2014 FRACTURE

March 5, 2014, Wednesday. I didn’t go to the NH today. Carl says he will see Mom today. When I got home from work, there was a message from Regina, Hospice nurse for me to call Dr. Maxwell. As I was listening to the message Carl called and said that Mom has a hairline fracture. Carl assisted Mom with supper  and stayed with Mom until she fell asleep. I called Dr. Maxwell and we discussed the treatment options. I said “no” to surgery. We are going to try bedrest for up to three weeks and see how Mom does with that. If pain increases or any of several indications of complications we can discuss those. Another X-ray will be done in 10 days. Dr. Maxwell indicated that bones can and do heal in elderly patients with bedrest. I called Carl back and he said that Mom seemed comfortable and the meds she is getting do seem effective. 

MON., MARCH 3 AND TUES., MARCH 4, 2014

March 3, 2014, Monday. I did not go to the NH today. I talked to Riley and he said he planned to go see Mom. I got an email from Regina from Hospice saying that she saw Riley today with Mom and that they both agreed that Mom was having a good day!

March 4, 2014, Tuesday. Riley called from the NH this morning saying that Regina from Hospice was there and that Mom is complaining that her leg hurts. I went to the NH about 3:20 PM. Mom was asleep on her bed. I cleaned her glasses. Nurse Steve, Regina, and another woman came into Mom’s room to examine Mom shortly after I arrived. They determined that Mom is having some pain on her left hip, thigh area but doubt that it is a fracture. A C.N.A. came and assisted getting Mom up, unsuccessfully. The C.N.A. also changed Mom. They left and I talked with Regina for a bit. Mom fell asleep. Nurse Steve returned with some medicine. Mom slept. I hung up the clean clothes I brought and cleaned Mom’s nails a bit. I sketched Mom sleeping. I woke up Mom and we ate a few Cheetos. Then Mom fell back to sleep. I sat with her a bit then left about 4:30 PM. Mom knew me and responded to me appropriately but was very tired and sore.  I gave Steve some pecans and a Teddy Bear from Sharon S. to the Nurses station for another resident.

SAT., MARCH 1 & SUN., MARCH 2, 2014

March 1, 2014, Saturday. I went to the NH about 3:15 PM. The feeders were full, blinds closed. I noticed Riley signed the visitor’s book about noon. Mom was resting on her bed, watching the DVD, sound low, O2 on but cannula out of place, glasses off, teeth in.  We hung up some clean clothes that I brought. I got Mom’s pants on her and helped her into her chair. She did not have on leggings so we put those on. We played “peas porridge hot.” I cleaned her glasses, wiped her face, cleaned her hands and noted Mom coughing. I changed the channel to TCM. Then we went to the entertainment. I got Mom a coffee. We clapped hands but Mom put her head on the table so we went for a walk outside. It was a warm day so we went around the back and sat by the pansies and the begonias. Mom was very interested in the begonias. We went back inside to her room and Adam came and took Mom vitals. I gave Adam a bag of pecans. We discussed Mom’s leggings and I mentioned the leggings to Nurse Sandra, too. I put in the new DVD, High Society, looked at the card from Brooks and also at her 6ht grade report card which Bonnie sent. I took Mom to the big TV room and left about 5:15 PM. Today Mom was able to follow and recite “peas porridge” with me after three rounds. She was attentive to hanging up the clothes and noticed when it was wrong. She knows who she is.

March 2, 2014, Sunday. I went to the NH about 3:20 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was resting on her bed, no O2, teeth in, glasses off, DVD playing, sound low. Mom needed changing, no pants on so I called for assistance then went and asked Adam. He changed Mom and we got her into her chair. I brushed her hair, cleaned her hands, cleaned her glasses, wiped her face and we played ‘peas porridge’ but Mom could not say the words. After three times through she managed “hot”, “cold”, “old” on cue. We went to the dining room for the Episcopal service. Mom nodded and wanted communion today. She enjoyed looking at the music but didn’t sing. We returned to her room and channel surfed then I changed the DVD to Singing in the Rain. She ate a tangerine, carefully chewing up each section then spitting out the pulp. Then I gave her a caramel.  I tried to coax her to color today unsuccessfully. We looked at photos. She correctly identified her sisters but mixed others up. She could identify Carl and Brooks but not her other children. Today she could not remember her birthday and I could not get her name out of her. I gathered her dirty clothes and took Mom to the big TV room. I left about 4:50 PM. Mom showed affection to her stuffed dogs today and was out of sorts and grouchy when I first got there. She got happier during the visit. She did not speak out loud until I was leaving then she asked me to stay.

THURS., FEB. 27 & FRI., FEB. 28, 2014

February 27, 2014, Thursday. I went to the NH about 3:15 today. I added some seed to the feeder, blinds half open. Mom was resting on her bed, no O2, teeth in, no glasses. White Christmas was playing on the DVD player, sound low. I called for assistance to get Mom up and changed. I noted one light bulb out in the bathroom and Nurse Steve wrote a slip on it. C.N.A. Roxanne came and changed Mom and we got her up and into her chair. I got clean leggings out of her drawer and put them on her. I brushed her hair, cleaned her glasses, cleaned her hands, put cream on her hands and arms, got her a sweater and we went to Bingo in the Great Room. Mom tried to eat the hand cream. Mom enjoyed the activity but she mixed-up the potato chips with tokens and I had to keep an eye on her. We returned to her room. I changed the DVD and we channel surfed some. The birds came and we watched the birds. We hung up clean clothes. We played “peas porridge” and she could only sequence the words “hot”, “cold” and “in the pot”.  We looked at photos and she identified some people then out of the blue asked “Where’s Brooks? He lives in a town somewhere.” I told her he lives in Portland, OR. I found her cushion in the closet and Yvonne helped me get it under Mom and in the chair. I accompanied Mom to the dining room, got her a coffee and left with her dirty clothes about 5:15 PM. Mom’s ability to respond to cues and initiate action has declined.  She speaks in sentences. Her conversation is often non-sequential but still coherent. When I am with her in an activity, she requires constant supervision. I do not have opportunity to sketch.

February 28, 2014, Friday. I went to the NH about 3:15 PM. I fed the birds, blinds half open. Mom was asleep on her bed, teeth in, no O2. I cleaned her glasses and called for assistance and C.N.A. Marlene came quickly and helped me get Mom into her w/c. I brushed her hair, gave her a hat, cream on her face, cleaned her hands, and cream on arms and hands. We channel surfed a little then I turned down the sound and we played patty-cake. Annie came around and invited us to activities. I accompanied Mom to the Great Room for French Fries and harp concert. With encouragement I got Mom to eat some French fries independently. She did dip into her coke sometimes and sometimes just sucked the ketchup off the potato. She spilled her coke and I got a towel and cleaned it up. She didn’t finish her fries. We waved our hands and clapped and Mom still has rhythm. We returned to her room and I put the TV back on the DVD then took her to the big TV room. I left about 5:15 PM. Mom could keep time and said some words appropriately but she does not initiate or respond to cues. She requires more assistance to direct activity.

TUES., FEB. 25 & WED., FEB. 25, 2014

February 25, 2014, Tuesday. I went to the NH about 4:50 PM today. The bird feeders were full and the blinds were open. I donated a stuffed bear from Sharon to the Activities department. Donna said yes they had a candidate for the bear. Mom was in her w/c in her room alone with the DVD of Singing in the Rain playing. C.N.A. Adam told me that he left Mom with Carl. I called Carl when I got home and we talked about not ever, ever leaving Mom in her chair alone because she may attempt to get into bed by herself. I also noted new flowers in Mom’s arrangement. I noticed that she did not have on the pink leggings and put a pair on her. Yvonne brought Mom’s tray and Mom ate pretty well tonight. She ate about 1/3 of the enchilada, 1/4 of the corn & beans and some of the rice. She ate some of the fruit then I gave her a chocolate. Luz the Med Nurse came in while we were eating and talked about removing Mom’s Wander Guard since her recent decline. Mom and I played peas porridge hot. At first Mom would follow the movements but not recite the rhyme. I worked with on just the rhyme then added the hands and it worked. She played successfully. We looked at photographs. She identified her parents and her siblings but misidentified her children, mixing sibling names with children’s names. We channel surfed some and I got her nightgown on her. I called for assistance and Yvonne came. We got her into bed and I assisted Yvonne in changing her and getting her into bed. I brought Mom a new stuffed dog from Sharon and Mom was very pleased and wanted both the dogs in bed with her. I noted that the slacks Mom had on were Souhange’s so I put them in her laundry. I put the DVD of White Christmas on and left about 6:30 PM. I found both of Mom’s clean laundry bags left by Riley and Helen and brought them home. 

February 26, 2014, Wednesday. I didn’t go to the NH today.

 

SUN., FEB. 23 & MON., FEB. 24, 2014

February 23, 2014, Sunday.  Helen left to go see Mom about 11 AM. About 11:45 AM she called from the NH to say that Mom is almost out of clothes. I have clean clothes for her here but kept forgetting to mention it. I asked Helen to bring the dirty clothes home. Helen was assisting Mom in the dining room and said that Mom took a drink of water for herself. Helen also said that Mom propelled herself independently this morning and escaped from her oversight!!! That means Mom is demonstrating initiative! Mom has benefited from all this extra attention and time that Helen has been able to devote to her. Helen brought Mom’s dirty clothes home and picked up a bag of clean clothes about 5 PM. She returned to the NH to assist Mom in eating supper. Helen reports that Mom ate well at both lunch and dinner. Helen hung up Mom’s clean clothes then assisted Mom into bed, cleaned her teeth and put O2 on. She left the NH about 6:30 PM.

February 24, 2014, Monday. I did not go to the NH today. Helen went this morning and assisted Mom during lunch. She reported that this afternoon Mom said “you can go now” which Mom has said to me before. It indicates Mom is feeling perky and confident. Helen also returned around 5 PM and assisted Mom at supper. Helen said that Mom did not eat well tonight but did eat ¾ of a banana, all of an orange (spitting out the fiber) and drank most of a Boost. Helen also reported that the C.N.A. did not adjust Mom properly in the bed and Helen had to pull Mom up. Helen cleaned her teeth, put on the O2, turned out the light. Helen left the NH about 6:50 PM.

FRI., FEB. 21 AND SAT., FEB. 22, 2013

February 21, 2014, Friday. I went to the NH about 3:45. I fed the birds, blinds closed. C.N.A. Roxanne told me that Mom had gone to activities in the Great Room. I put Mom’s new DVD in her room and noted that her room is cold. I found Mom in the Great Room watching practices for wheelchair racing. We had cherry pie and cherry sodas. I drew Mom and coerced her to draw a flower. We returned to her room and I put on the new DVD. Then I took her to the Big TV Room. We played patty cake. Mom was initiating some action and playfulness. I left about 4:30 PM.

February 22, 2014, Saturday. I did not go to the NH today. Helen is visiting from CA and she went this morning about 11 AM. Helen reported that Mom did not eat much at lunch but did eat some; about ½ her potatoes a couple of bites of bread & butter,  two bites of turkey and about ½ peach cobbler. Staff gave her a Boost to give to Mom later. She said that staff was very helpful and responded to call to assist and to change Mom. The cna in the lunchroom told Helen that they just love it when her brother comes to play at lunch time. She said everyone enjoys it, especially the staff.  Helen also reported setting off an alarm by passing too close to a door. Mom spoke to Helen and asked “to go home” meaning her room, plus she was expressive and played hand games. Helen brushed her hair, gave her a back massage, played hand games and put cream on mom’s face. She also cleaned mom’s teeth after mom ate. Helen asked for help to change her, because she was quite wet. The cna came and helped right away and then mom went into her bed for a nap. White Christmas was playing. Helen left around 2:00 Helen returned to NH about 4:00 PM. and put in the Shrek movie that Helen bought for her. Mom seemed to enjoy it.  Helen combed her hair again. Then Carl and Charlotte came by. Mom smiled quite a bit while Charlotte and Carl chatted with Helen. Carl took several pictures of Helen and everyone together. Then Helen took mom outside to go to the parking lot to look at Carl’s car and the collages on the sides of it. Then they came back inside and mom’s tray arrived for dinner. Carl and Charlotte left and mom ate ½ of a eggroll, 1/8^th of some sweet and sour pork, 1/3 of her vegetables, ¾ of her desert, and almost an entire Boost. Mom really wanted to get into bed and tried to lift herself onto the bed. The cna arrived and Helen and he noticed that mom was really wet. Then she was changed by the cna. Helen and the cna found a nightgown for her. Then she went right to sleep, but Riley arrived and Helen woke her up for just a minute to say “Hi” to Riley. She was really happy to see him. Helen put in “Pirates of the Carribean.” Then she left as mom was beginning to doze off. Around 9 PM, Helen returned to the NH to put on a looping DVD for Mom. Helen found the O2 out of place, light still on and Pirates still playing. She changed the DVD to Singing in the Rain, put O2 back in place and closed the light.

TUES., FEB. 18, WED., FEB. 19 AND THURS., FEB. 20, 2014

February 18, 2014, Tuesday.  I went to the NH about 3:45 PM. The feeders were full. Mom was sleeping on her bed and Souhange was in her chair, her TV off. Mom’s TV was on playing DVD, sound down. She had her O2 on, teeth in and the window was open. The room was warm. I spoke to Nurse Steve and he came and checked the room, blinds, the window and said that they were having difficulty with temperature controls because of the changing temps outside. Mom awoke and I called for assistance to get Mom up. C.N.A. came in with two trainees and got Mom changed and up into her chair and left. I gave Mom a brush and she brushed her hair then I did too. I got her glasses and they were extremely filthy covered with debris. I cleaned them. We hung clean clothes I brought then went for a walk outside. We went to my car and I got some garbage bags out of the trunk then we walked to the front of the building. I tried to get her to sing but no luck. She enjoyed it when I sang and waved her hand. She asked to go inside. That is a First. Usually it takes coercion to get her back inside. We went back to her room. I changed the DVD. We channel surfed some. I gathered the dirty clothes then took her to the dining room. I said good bye then got the clothes.  Mom is happy to see me and has playful moments but interaction is minimal. I left about 5 PM.

February 19, 2014, Wednesday. I didn’t go to the NH today.

February 20, 2014, Thursday. I went to the NH about 3:45 PM. The feeders were full, blinds half open.  I went to Mom’s room and noted fresh flowers, Carl had signed in for today but no one signed in for yesterday. I left clean clothes in Mom’s room and found Mom in the Great Room playing Bingo. Her responses improved as I assisted her with the games. We returned to her room with her prizes and found Souhange trying to get C.N.A. Roxanne and 2 trainees to get the heart off the door. Apparently she wanted it, so I got it down and gave it to her. Mom and I hung up clothes and channel surfed some. We played patty cake which she enjoyed a lot and she actually coordinated with me on the words “hot”, “cold” and “old”. Then I took Mom outside for a brief walk. When I returned to take her to the dining room a trainee was bringing her tray so we took it to the dining room and I started Mom with her supper. Usually when she has to wait to be served in the dining room she gets her meal at about 5:55PM then they take up trays by 6:30 PM so she doesn’t get very long to eat. Tonight she will have time as I left her with food about 5:15 PM. Mom’s responses improved during my visit.  

 I returned to the NH about 7:45 PM. Mom was in bed watching Singing in the Rain, teeth still in, nightgown on backwards, no O2, no glasses. The room was quite cold. I got another cover out of the closet and put it on Mom’s bed. I got Mom’s nightgown turned around frontwards (open in the back). I was glad to see that she had on one of her own nightgowns because they are heavier than the NH issue. I cleaned her teeth, gave her a chocolate and said good night. I left about 8 PM.