WED., OCT 30 & THUR., OCT 31, 2013

October 30, 2013, Wednesday.  I went to the NH about 5 PM. The birdfeeder was full and rain is coming. I went inside and Mom was in her room on her bed watching TV, DVD of American in Paris, blinds open, O2 on but cannula out of place.  There was a Sheriff’s car pulling out when I came in and there was a lot of commotion. I don’t know what was going on. I went to get Mom’s food and I was told I would have to wait until all the trays were out and they would bring the tray to her room. Yvonne came with a student, Monica, and they got Mom into her chair. She had refused me but she likes a lot of attention. We did some personal care and I put her feet on the bed. She did some toe curls and I drew her picture. At 6:10 I went again to get food for Mom but they had quit serving so I got C.N.A. to assist me getting Mom to the car and we went to What A Burger. Mom ate a chicken strip with gravy.  We watched the birds and the traffic. Mom asked “Where are they going so fast?” We returned to the NH and Mom refused to get of the car then it thundered and she got right out and into her wheelchair which I had retrieved from the big TV room. Mom’s Wander Guard did not set off any alarms today. Mom complained of it being too tight and I have to agree. I told Nurse Linda and Yvonne. Nurse Linda said she would cut it off. I assisted Yvonne getting Mom into bed. I cleaned Mom’s teeth and gave Mom and Tina candy. I left about 7:15 PM. 

October 31, 2013, Thursday. I went to the NH about 4:35 PM today. I fed the birds, blinds closed. There were a lot of decorations and costumes on the unit. Mom was on her bed, O2 on but cannula out of place, DVD on, sound down. A C.N.A. brought Tina her tray and asked if Mom was getting up. I said yes and then got Mom into her chair. We did some personal care, channel surfed and watched the birds. I went to get a tray for her but the food wasn’t out yet. I returned to Mom’s room, then a C.N.A. brought Mom’s food. She ate all of the potato puree stuff, about 5 bites of spaghetti and one of the cookies. I noticed that her Wander Guard has been removed. Then we went for a walk in the parking lot. Mom propelled herself more than half the way and did well controlling her chair. We returned to her room. I gave Mom a chocolate and a sugarless candy to Tina. I cleaned Mom’s teeth and helped her onto her bed. I put the DVD back on, sound up, put her O2 on and lap blanket over her legs. I left about 6:30 PM.

MON. OCT. 28 & TUES., OCT. 29, 2013,

October 28, 2013, Monday. I went to the NH about 5 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was in the big TV with sweater draped over the back of her chair. I helped her on with her sweater then accompanied her to her room. We stopped and I spoke to Nurse Diane about Mom’s tray. The NH will plan for Mom to eat in the dining room. If I come then I can get a tray for her and take her to her room. This ensures Mom gets fed and does NOT get left in her room unattended. We went to Mom’s room and channel surfed and watched the birds. We did some personal care then I went to get her tray. She did not eat well tonight but she ate all of the ginger bread cake. A C.N.A. came and got Tina’s and Mom’s trays then another Nurse came and gave Mom meds. I assisted Mom put on her nightgown and get into bed. Mom complained of her sock being too tight on her L foot so I pulled her sock off. Her foot was very purple with a swollen lump across the top of her toes. I changed her socks to loose socks.  I put the pillow under her feet to extra elevate. I gave Mom and Tina candy. I cleaned Mom’s teeth, tucked her in and put the TV on DVD. I left about 7 PM.

October 29, 2013, Tuesday. I emailed Nurse Regina from Hospice about Mom's foot and she responded knowledgeably about the situation. It has to do with Mom's poor circulation. I went to the NH about 5:15 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was in the dining room. We went to her room and I set her up for supper. I returned to the dining room for her Tray and Nurse Jim said I had to wait until all the trays were out. They usually don’t get all the residents served until about 6 PM so I returned to Mom’s room so as not to leave her alone. We hung up clean clothes that I brought and Nurse Linda came in and said she would get Mom’s supper and she did. I’m glad because Mom eats very slowly and if we had to wait until after 6, it would be late for Mom. She was already saying that she wanted to go to bed. Mom ate pretty well, especially the soup but not the egg salad and she ate only one of the cookies. I put on a new DVD and we channel surfed. Mom spit out her teeth into her napkin so I got her teeth and cleaned them then left Mom watching the birds and TV and returned the tray to the dining room. I assisted Mom into her pajamas, into bed, put her O2 on and tucked her in. I gave Mom and Tina a candy each. I left about 6:50 PM. I think I need to change my strategy about timing for Mom’s tray or discontinue this experiment.  

SAT., OCT. 26 & SUNDAY, OCT. 27, 2013

October 26, 2013, Saturday. I went to the NH about 5:10 PM. The birdfeeders were full. Mom was in the dining room. When I greeted her, she addressed me by name and I accompanied her to her room. We hung up some clean clothes I brought then I returned to the dining room for a tray for Mom. Mom ate all of the cottage cheese, some of the pineapple I brought and a few bites of the beef stew and the apricots. There was a banana peel in the garbage can, fresh flowers and Carl had signed in 1:30 PM – 2. I cleaned Mom’s teeth and gave Mom and Tina candy then helped Mom into bed without changing her clothes. We channel surfed some then went back to the DVD. I only saw one parrot at the feeder tonight but we watched the birds and squirrels just the same. I put the O2 on her then left about 6:50 PM. Mom was in a good humor for the most part tonight.

Dr. Quinn called today and said that he would be in the building tomorrow after 10 AM.

October 27, 2013, Sunday. Nurse Diane called about 10 AM to say Dr. Quinn was here. I went to NH about 10:15 AM. I put feed in the flat bird feeder. I saw Mom sleeping, O2 on, no teeth. I told Nurse about teeth then met with Dr. Quinn. I left about 11 AM.  

LATER: I went back to NH about 5 PM. I added some seed to the flat feeder. There was a parade of children and adults in costumes in the hallways, giving gifts to residents. Mom was in her room in her chair so I took her around to see the children. She got some Halloween stickers, an orange and socks and was delighted to see the parade. Mom immediately started peeling the orange and did a good job of it. Tina gave Mom a banana and Mom started in on the fruit.  Tina’s tray was in the room but not Mom’s. Her tray was not on the cart for room dinners either. The C.N.A. said she would bring it. Riley came at about 5:15 PM and we went together to search for a tray for Mom but no luck. We returned to Mom’s room and watched the birds then the tray came. I showed Riley about feeding Mom, where the condiments are kept and I searched for her straws but did not find them. The C.N.A. brought Mom’s tray and suggested I talk to someone in charge about the dinner tray orders. Mom ate pretty well and Riley helped. Mom really enjoys Riley. Riley left and Mom finished most of the soup, half of the jello, and the ground chicken mixture on her sandwich (not the bread). I gave Tina and Mom some candy and Tina gave Mom some cookies. I returned the tray to the dining room then we channel surfed some and I assisted Mom into her nightgown and into bed. I left about 7 PM. with teeth cleaned and in container, O2 on and glasses on. Mom was alert and in a good humor tonight.

WED., OCT. 23, THURS., OCT. 24 & FRI., OCT. 25, 2013

October 23, 2013, Wednesday. I went to the NH about 5 PM. I fed the birds and noticed that the birds are frequenting the NH’s feeder also. Mom was resting on her bed. Yvonne brought her tray. Mom did not eat well tonight but her cough sounded better, looser. We watched the birds and channel surfed some. We hung up some clean clothes that I brought and Mom did pretty good with problem solving. As I assisted her back onto the bed I noticed that she was sopping wet. Yvonne came and I assisted her in changing Mom and getting her into bed, under the covers. I noticed some ants on the wainscoting so put more bay leaf in her drawers. Mom was in a better humor tonight than she has been for several days. I put the TV back on the DVD and left about 6:30 PM.

October 24, 2013, Thursday. I went to the NH about 10 AM. I fed the birds, blinds closed.  Mom was in bed, asleep, O2 on, teeth in, glasses on. I opened the blinds and Mom awoke. I asked which mask for her room then I put the other on her door. I got Mom up, into her chair. We channel surfed and watched the birds & I brushed her hair, got her hat & scarf and lap blanket on then went to Nail Spa. Mom chose glittery red today. We did her nails then I brought her back to her room. I saw Sam the Social worker. She said she left the phone number on my voice machine. I told nurse in charge that I would NOT be there to feed Mom tonight. I accompanied Mom to her room and helped her back into bed. I put the TV on the Fred & Ginger DVD and left her with O2 on about 11:10 AM.

October 25, 2013, Friday. I went to the NH about 5 PM. The birdfeeder was mostly full but I put a little more on the flat feeder, blinds closed. Riley had been there about 1:30 PM or so. Mom was in her wheelchair facing away from the TV, sound down, wet hair, no hat (cold in that room) and clothes were strewn around and a big wet spot on the floor. Mom had on stranger pants. No trays in the room. Mom & I hung up the clean clothes I brought. She did pretty well, seemed alert. Tina said she had not seen Mom at activities today. I went to look for trays about 5:20 PM and saw C.N.A. Gus in hallway and he said he would bring trays but came with only Tina’s. He said Unit Mgr. said Mom eats in dining room and I said “not when I’m here.” He said he could not tell Mgr. that so I went to dining room to get Mom’s food and there is something going on. Reorganization?? All the residents had name tags in large lettering. There were place names for the residents, written large and there were many staff in the room. I picked up Mom’s place name and went to the servers and got a tray for Mom. Mom ate all of the mystery puree (potatoes?), none of the “chili” and some of the salad. I brought fresh pineapple and she ate about half of that plus some of the canned peaches on her tray. I returned Mom & Tina’s trays to the dining room then assisted Mom into bed. I cleaned her teeth and gave Mom and Tina candy. We bird watched some and channel surfed then I put on a “new” DVD of Fred A and Rita Hayworth. I left with dirty clothes about 6:40 PM.

BRONCHITIS, MONDAY, OCT. 21 & TUES., OCT. 22, 2013

October 21, 2013, Monday. I got a call from Nurse Todd at RNC saying that Mom has bronchitis and they are starting an antibiotic. I asked what I should do and he said just “be supportive.” I played phone tag with Nurse Regina from Hospice today. We communicated by email. Dr. Maxwell wants to put Mom in a high back chair to slow down falls. I don’t know how that will help? But okay. I went to the NH about 5 PM. There was birdseed in the feeder and I added some more to the flat feeder. Riley signed the book this afternoon. Mom was on her bed under the covers, O2 on but cannula out of place. I fixed it up and started getting her set-up to eat in bed. Someone brought a tray with spaghetti but Mom was coughing and there was a nebulizer on the desk by her. I went to nurse station and asked for chicken soup. Nurse Diane brought chicken soup to the room. Mom ate some fruit, some soup and some of the veggies. A man brought the new chair and another nebulizer  wrapped in plastic. I put Mom’s old chair out in the hallway, took the leg rests off the new chair and put them under the chest of drawers (those things tear up Mom’s legs when she reaches for the floor.) A. C.N.A. came and took Mom’s tray. I cleaned Mom’s teeth and plugged her bed back into the wall and adjusted the bed. I got Mom’s dirty clothes together. I changed the DVD to Swing Time, gave Mom and Tina candy and left with Mom’s dirty clothes about 7 PM. I spoke to Nurse Linda before I left to say the new chair and nebulizer had been delivered

Note about swallowing: Mom often chews up food then wants to spit it out. If I give her a Reese’s Pieces, or cake or cookie, she has no difficulty swallowing.

October 22, 2013, Tuesday. I went to the NH about 5 PM. There was some birdseed in the vertical feeder but I put more in and the flat feeder. I was going in as the C.N.A. was leaving the tray on her table. Mom was on her bed, O2 on, glasses on, teeth in and she did not want to get up. I got her a hat and set up the table over her bed. Mom ate about half of the tuna off her sandwich and about half of her brownie then Nurse Linda came in to give her the breathing treatment. We discovered that Mom was sopping wet and also had a BM so I assisted Nurse Linda to change and clean up Mom. She put the nebulizer on Mom with a double dose of whatever it is in the contraption. The mask kept sliding off. I turned it off after about 20 minutes. I got Mom into jammies and left her on top of the bedcovers with three lap blankets over her and a hat. We saw 10 parrots tonight. I left the TV on DVD Swing Time. I cleaned Mom’s teeth and gave Mom and Tina candy. There was a Boost sitting in the room unopened. I left about 7 PM.

ANOTHER FALL, SUNDAY, OCT. 20 & MONDAY, OCT. 21, 2013

October 20, 2013, Sunday. RNC called ABOUT 1:30 pm. Nurse said that another resident found Mom on the floor in the dining room, that she slid out of her chair. As Nurse was speaking to me, Mom took off at rapid pace and Nurse caught up to her and invited her to speak with me. I asked Mom “how are you feeling?” She responded that “I didn’t spill anything.” I told Mom I would come see her about 5 PM. She said okay and good-bye then I heard her tell Nurse that I was coming at 5:30 PM. I told Nurse it would be about 5 PM and asked if Mom had any injuries. Nurse said that Mom was all right. It sounds like Mom is exercising. Carl called and said that he and Charlotte would meet me at Mom’s with the painting of the dog for approval.

LATER: I went to the NH about 4:45 PM. Carl and Charlotte were there. Charlotte looked great and Carl brought excellent birdseed, cleaned out the Recreation Dept. birdfeeder too and brought flowers. Mom was in bed, no glasses, no teeth. It looked like she has not had her teeth in today. I gave her her teeth and glasses. Carl & Char left and I put the table over Mom’s bed so she could eat in bed. She has a deep wet cough today. She did not eat well but some salad and some of the pizza topping. She ate her ice cream only after I squished up a chocolate in it. She had that bad tasting pudding on her tray again. Tina did not have a comparable dish on her tray. We did some personal care and I clipped her toenails. She said it hurt for me to handle her toes and her big toe nail, left foot looks dead and the toe looks swollen. She most definitely does not feel well, very tired and lethargic. We channel surfed some then I put the TV back on Singing in the Rain. I cleaned Mom’s teeth and gave Mom and Tina some candy. I left Mom on her bed, O2 on, lap blankets over her about 6:30 PM. I stopped by the Nurse station and spoke with Nurse Linda about Mom not feeling well.

Mom still has a good supply of diapers.

October 21, 2013, Monday. I got a call from Nurse Todd at RNC that Mom has bronchitis and they are starting an antibiotic. I asked what I should do and he said just “be supportive.” I played phone tag with Nurse Regina from Hospice today. We communicated by email. Dr. Maxwell wants to put Mom in a high back chair to slow down falls. I don’t know how that will help? But okay. I went to the NH about 5 PM. There was birdseed in the feeder and I added some more to the flat feeder. Riley signed the book this afternoon. Mom was on her bed under the covers, O2 on but cannula out of place. I fixed it up and started getting her set-up to eat in bed. Someone brought a tray with spaghetti but Mom was coughing and there was a nebulizer on the desk by her. I went to nurse station and asked for chicken soup. Nurse Diane brought chicken soup to the room. Mom ate some fruit, some soup and some of the veggies. A man brought the new chair and another nebulizer  wrapped in plastic. I put Mom’s old chair out in the hallway, took the leg rests off the new chair and put them under the chest of drawers (those things tear up Mom’s legs when she reaches for the floor.) A. C.N.A. came and took Mom’s tray. I cleaned Mom’s teeth and plugged her bed back into the wall and adjusted the bed. I got Mom’s dirty clothes together. I changed the DVD to Swing Time, gave Mom and Tina candy and left with Mom’s dirty clothes about 7 PM. I spoke to Nurse Linda before I left to say the new chair and nebulizer had been delivered

Note about swallowing: Mom often chews up food then wants to spit it out. If I give her a Reese’s Pieces, or cake or cookie, she has no difficulty swallowing.

ABOUT DECISIONS

DECISIONS: Making a decision is work. I always offer Mom choices whenever possible. She often says “ it doesn’t matter.” and of course it probably doesn’t. That’s not the point. I insist. “Choose!” It takes more time to get her to choose which candy, which socks, which movie but as often as I can stand it I make her choose. There is a subtle response in her after making a choice. She is often more invested, behaves more interested after she has chosen something.