NURSING HOME TIDBITS

I have read a number of comments on other Blogs about Nursing Homes and how they sometimes upset you or make you disappointed with them. Carol has been in a NH since early January and I now have 3 months experience. I was very confused about the NH at first but herer are some little tidbits that have helped me:

• 1. The concentration of wheelchairs around the nurses station is good for the patients. Otherwise they would be in their rooms without seeing any activity except a quick passerby.
• Most nurses or aides do have good hearts and are doing something that very few of us would be willing to pursue.
• I encourage the aides and staff to smile more often. They have beautiful smiles and it would be good for the visitors as well as the patients.
• Talk to the other patients, even if they can’t carry on a conversation. They like the attention. I am astounded about how many do not seem to have any regular visitors.
• Take your LO for a walk, maybe outside to a courtyard or just around the building. The change of scenery is helpful.
• Take Sunday Ad sections from the newspaper and help them leaf through them looking at the children, the pretty shoes, or sporting goods for the men.
• Remember all the little things they get like baths, shampoo, skin lotion, potty help, good food, eating help, medicine help (crushed pills),etc.
• Respond to those other patients that seem to want to talk or just ask you a question.
• Get personal with the staff. They have homes, families, kids, pets, etc.

Add to this list from what you have experienced. Certainly, a NH is not the most desirable place for our LO but it is a big help for the Caregivers. Just click on the ADD COMMENTS below and sign in.  This is a very secure site and Ok to use your email.    

CAROL IS DYING (Slowly but surly!)

I don’t mean to be blunt or shocking but that is a true statement. Carol’s Alzheimer’s (AD) in now in the later stages and we see part of her loosing out to AD almost daily. And though I know that Carol would not want to prolong this despicable disease, her physical body continues to fight on. Cognitively, Carol is almost gone but she still likes to look at her picture albums and newspaper ads. Sometimes she does seem to recognize family but most of the time, there is no acknowledgement that she knows us. Physically, her walking has greatly degraded but we still work with her on a walker. However, the Nursing Home got her a wheelchair and always use that instead of the walker. The therapist works with her on MWF on walking and other leg exercises. We hope that will improve her quality of life. The Therapy seems to also be helping her cognitive abilities. She is still continent and can swallow and drink but needs to be fed each bite. Does use a straw most of the time. I think her vision is also failing but she loves to look at her picture books.
According to the Alz Assoc. they estimate that Carol could live for several years or only several months. But it is inevitable. AD is a terminal illness with only a few research projects offering any hope for even diagnosing the disease early enough to maybe stop it or at least really slow it down. The medications she takes now do not do much good in the latter stages. But as I said in a previous blog, 2/17/10, God is Great and He definitely answers prayers. He has given Carol a peace and contentment that is making it much easier on her, and of course the family. She is in no pain, has no anger, or sadness.

Psalm 23.

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For more information on this gradual death of the brain, I refer you to my Aug 23, 2009 Post:

“What’s it like from Carol’s side of her Brain”