Good morning, all.
Well, mom and I went to see her primary care dr yesterday... Seems her unbalanced gait is part of the progression of the dementia. I told him I would like to know what kind she has and he referred me to a neurologist who's been with the clinic forever. We are going on March 3.
In the meantime, he kept suggesting ALF. Mom's eyes got big like saucers when she heard the response to her question, "What's that?"
She looked at me and that look of "OH NO YOU WON'T DON'T EVEN THINK IT" came over her face, then she looked at the doctor and said, "that's not going to happen. I will just sell the house and move." Then she smiled at him.
He looked at me, I rolled my eyes, and I said well we'll try to keep her in the house as long as we can, maybe get a companion or something (this is a two-fold reason on my part for not wanting ALF: It's very costly and she does NOT want it. So ok, it has to cost less for a companion to come in a couple of hours a day, right? I mean like I said, while her dementia is entering the moderate stage, we are still looking at a woman who can make homemade meatballs with sauce, do her dishes, make her bed, wash herself, put her earrings and lipstick on, read her magazines, and comment about Judge Judy. The dr said that is because her long-term memory is SHARP but the short-term is disappearing.
His worry is a fall that could break a hip because we all know it's common knowledge once that happens at 90, you are pretty much done...
And I know a part-time companion can't help a fall if they are not there.
I am going into her house this coming week to remove all small carpet mats and rugs which are all over the house. I am going to remove 5 of the 7 dog beds strewn about for the dog. I am going to look for one large area rug for her two main living areas. (the rest are carpeted. Bella is sure to pee on all of them, but it's ok I'll buy cheap just to get them down because it's a safety issue and no doubt will look better than 8 pee stained little rugs throughout the house. Her tile is that big white slippery gloss tile. I hate it. It's shiny and slippery. So we will cover it up a bit.
In the meantime, I would like to know what kind of dementia she has, so I can better understand it myself.
I want to know where we are at; she and I, so I can prepare.
The doctor did tell mom these places are not like the old smelly nursing homes anymore; they are freaking RESORTS. And being in Florida I have seen the outside of some of them and I would have to agree. I'd like to go hide for a vacation in one myself sometimes! lol
So we will see what this neurologist says on March 3.
Meantime, today mom is awakening in her home across the street as I type this. Bella wakes her same time every morning at 8:15. She will cook herself two eggs, coffee, and peanut butter toast, and then will get washed up and dressed for garage sales with me.
I want to keep these memories good for her as long as I can.
I do not like being in the middle like this. I am POA but still...there has to be a better way. I am going to wait to see more decline in the brain functionality before pushing for ALF... at that time frame when it comes it will be more like memory care anyhow...
Thank you for supporting me here on this site. It is really a lifesaver for me.
I found these colorful squares in the office section of Sam's the last time I went. They are so useful.
Nikki you could get chocolate coloured carpet then the pee stains won't show. My mother's little dog Sue peed all over on cream carpets, ugh. Sue lives with me now and, almost 5, is pretty much house clean.
With respect to something like life alert, my mother had something similar but wouldn't wear it and never knew where it was. The company would call her at 8 a.m. every day and if she didn't answer/reset they'd send emergency services. Many nice summer mornings she'd take Sue to the park and return to find her house surrounded by cops, fire and EMS ... OMG! Close to 65 and living alone with my dogs way out in the country I'm considering getting one for myself as a safety precaution.
when her mobility gets bad, hospice can provide a bedside comode. these sit overtop an existing toilet nowdays to provide a little extra seat height and arm rails. youre going to do a great job, im sure of it.
Here's your chance to remind her that if she continues her compulsive shopping that the DR will definitely see that she goes in a NH! LOL
Looks like I will be cleaning out her fridge this weekend.