NURSING HOMES CAN BE GREAT!!!!!!!

Nursing Homes do not have a universal reputation of being wonderful for the guests and their families.  We are very fortunate to have found a NH just for Alzheimer's and actually called a Special Care Unit.  It is a secure unit and most guests are given a reasonable degree of mobility, either by walking, wheel chairs or the Merry Walkers which is what Carol has.  While in the Walker, she is able to sit, stand and actually walk whenever she wants to do so.  Others can really manuever wheel chairs and go all over the Unit.  Some residents are capable of walking without any assistance but it is not encouraged while it is also not restricted.  The main concern is that a "walker" might be bumped by one of the guests in a wheel chair or Merry Walker.

But the main thing that makes this Special Care Unit so great is the four letter word----LOVE!!!!!!  It is real and not just a facade.  It goes both ways.  The staff does love the guests and the guests really love the staff.  Carol really gets gushey when some of the Aides or Nurses comes up and talks to her.  She sees them out of the corner of her eye and actually wants them to come talk to her.  She can not speak words but her smile and emotions say nothing but LOVE!!!!!She has her own language.  We say that Carol's Christian Ministry is to spread God's Love around the halls of the Nursing Home.  She has a big reputation and it even goes outside this particular Unit. The leading person in this sharing of real love, is the morning nurse, Janet Lowell.  She is an amazing person and the guests all recogonize and love Janet.  I feel sure the other staff folks also love Janet.  Carol and I certainly do love Janet.

Others that work in or near Carol at the Christian Care Center are:

 Ashley, Dusty, Regina,Cama, Marciel, Lucy, Brandi, Brittany, Rachel, Rosalynn, Joyce, Jesse, Debra, Tracie, Tawana, Marlene, Emma, Angela, Irene, and others that I have probably forgotten to include.

They also love me.      bill

My Get Up and Go has Gone and Went!!!!

Friends are always asking me “How are you doing?” I’m not sure how to answer that question. My physical health has a lot of aches and pains but my heart and blood pressure seem to be doing great. The Dr even took me off of my Blood Pres. medicine. My attitude is usually OK. I am thankful that Carol seems to be happy and contended. But I guess I do have periods of depression.
My get up and go has gone and went!!! I have always been a morning person but lately, I have trouble even getting out of bed. I think it is more than old age. I seem to be able to put off anything. I neglect my exercise program. Even eating is often skipped, which is certainly not normal for Bill Eldridge. I don’t cook much anymore. I have been on a low Carb diet and have lost 25 lbs. but have trouble with the discipline of a diet. My social life is also easily postponed and/or skipped. I watch a lot of news but miss being able to discuss (and cuss) the breaking news.
So, next time you ask me about how I am doing, you might not get a real meaningful answer.
I guess I'm coping well with the challenges in my life. But, having the love of my life in a nursing home does take it's toll. Bill

TALKING ALONG W/ HUGGING

Carol has really started talking (jabbering) and singing more lately.  Especially when she sees someone that gets her attention  like staff ladies or Carman our daughter.  Sometimes I get a little bit of recognition.  I guess I am there so often that I am not worth a big greeting.  There are certain staff members that she really gets excited over and that really makes those folks happy.  This is more of Carol's ministry of showing God's Love to those in the Nursing Home.  Her Ministry is so real to me and that makes me have such good vibes about Carol's situation.  It could be so much worse.
Please keep Carol in your prayers.

Praise the Lord!!!!

THE SNOEZELEN ROOM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFQFyb_CNqk


This is a short news special on Channell 8 in Dallas, Tx. about Carol and the Snoezelen room at the Special Care Unit of the Christian Care Center in Mesquite, Tx.   Hope you enjoy it.  You won't often see Carol so relaxed.  She is usually walking in her Merry Walker or standing up and down and up etc.      Bill

NEW FRIENDS IN ALZ SPC. CARE UNIT

 Listed here are a number of the new friends we have met in this Special Care Unit in the Alzheimer's Wing.  They are specially qualified to be in this Wing and security concerns is paramount.  This is why Carol has her Merry Walker. Most of the residents are in Walkers or their own wheel chair. 

Otillie is Carol's room-mate being helped by Velma (Black Velma) to put on hand lotion which they do every morning during the Activities time, which is great.


  


Traci is the head nurse of the Spc Care Unit.  She has three sons in the military.



Paula has such a pretty smile.  Likes to touch and hold hands with Carol. 



Betty wears a glove on her right hand because she slaps the tray so hard whe might hurt herself.

 


Angela and Lucy are two of the fabulous Aides that work in this wing.  It amazes me how much love and care these workers show to these Spc Care Residents.

Rita, w/ husband Walter, are really sweet.  Rita loves to give out kisses, to almost anyone. 

Elmer Preston is a resident but they let him do a lot of work like clean tables, floors and he even helps other residents with their meals, chairs, etc.  He loves to help.  Thiks he works there.

 
 


Chiya is a Jabanese lady and has been in this Special care unit longer than any one else.  Allmost deaf.



Jack is one of our newest residents.  His wife has AD also but is in a different wing and requires more attention.  Jack often is looking for his "Red Cow"!


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Ashley and Janet, pm nurse and am nurse.  Both really great and so full of love for the residents.  We are blessed to have them.





Jessie has been here for 16 yrs and is really good with the residents.  He is Carol's aide most of the time and can feed her better than any of us.  Go Jessie!!!!

Irene is in charge of a fantastic program of Activities every day. Virginia is a resident that was given one of the Activity Aprons like Carol has.

CAROL LIKES TO CLAP HANDS

The Altzheimer's Special Care Unit has almost continious activities between breakfast and lunch and more in the afternoon. Carol can not do the excercises or things like playing bingo but she has one very awsome ability. She claps at the right time during Bingo, or certain excercises.

It is very interesting to see some of the residents help each other. One lady, Velma, is especially helpful to other residents. Here she is helping Otillie, Carol's roomate, rub lotion into their hands.