Mom has no short-term memory but she's a very organized individual and manages well at home. She eats frozen dinners, high-quality cereals, peanut butter and cold-cut sandwiches. She snacks on packaged cookies and candy. She's entertained watching baseball and basketball and reading. Oh, and news programs. Though she's willing to change to something else for me, by the middle of the show she wants the remote back so she can find something she likes. She loses food in the refrigerator if you bring her something new. She seems content but I wonder if living with other people would make her more energetic.
Pick up a copy of “Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande. I think you would find it helpful as you enter this stage of your mom’s life.
Also consider her being evaluated by a Neurologist and a Physical Therapist. Her gait sounds worrisome. She might benefit from a cane for stability. Consider cameras and a Medialert.
Its comforting to check in and see a loved one going about their day.
I am a social person but being around people, even those I love, for extended periods tires me and all I want to do is get away. A lot of you younger people think of it from your point of view, I see you saying, "I wouldn't want...., or I think....".
A lot of the time, especially if you wear hearing aids, a lot of noise is bothersome. When you are in your 80's and 90's you don't have the energy to visit all the time. My husband's nephew, his wife, daughter-in-law and two sweet little boys came to see us yesterday. After about an hour I couldn't wait for them to be gone. This last summer I spent 5 days at the beach with most of my immediate family. The happy noise my children and grandchildren made drove me down to sit under the canopy at the beach with my book for hours. I had to keep explaining to one of my daughters that "NO, I am NOT MAD, I am HAPPY, I just want to sit and look at the water!!!!!!!!" Hubby and I are used to quiet.
Please leave Your Mother be where She is happiest. Why try to anticipate what She might prefer when Your Mother will tell You what She wants. Home is the Sailor Home from the seas, and the Hunter is Home from the hill.
She seems to be doing what she enjoys. Let her be.
DR COPPERTINO