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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The birds were causing some serious erosion by the fence.

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

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

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