Mom doesn’t like being alone. Not so much because she’s afraid but because she doesn’t think she gets treated very well when she’s by herself. I can’t say that I blame her. The only thing that’s different when I’m there is that I can leave the room and hunt someone down to help. The techs (care associates, aides, whatever you want to call them) are underpaid and overworked. Many of them are new to the field and very inexperienced. Just tonight I had to remind the care associate of a few things as she was getting mom ready for bed. To be honest, I probably need to stop doing as much as I do as far as her cares go because they are getting away without having to do all of the work. It’s a tough spot to be in. I don’t want my mom to feel mistreated (that’s probably going a little far). Sometimes the care associates come in frenzied and rush with her. She has a lot more that she needs help with than most of the other residents and they need to be able to handle that. I don’t think that they all can. I definitely have my favorites.
Despite it all, mom had the best day of therapies so far. Standing up is getting much better, where she’s doing the majority of the work. She stood up in the parallel bars today a few times. Cumulatively for the most amount of time yet. During speech, she made it through 10 small spoonfuls EACH of applesauce and honey-thick apple juice. I look forward to her speech therapy sessions since she gets to have a taste of something other than water. We did try that “Frazier Free Water Protocol” again. She’s still coughing but she was still trying. She’s a fighter. She’s not giving up. As a matter of fact, today she told me two “wants”. One is that she wants to walk. Even if it’s with a walker. The other is that when she’s better, she wants to have a party. Where she will invite everyone that took care of her and she will cook for them all.
I will do my best to make sure that both of those things happen.
My dear Sue,
It sounds like you are making great strides with your therapies. Hurray for you. Today was hard for me as I had what they call “a flair” due to the rheumatoid. One more day lost.
I wish I could see you more often. I am looking ahead to see when I can venture out to you again.
I am delighted that you want to have a party when you can cook again. I will be happy to assist you. I used to give lots of big parties, 60 to 100 guests. I did all the cooking myself. As a matter of fact you came to some of those parties I gave for Mom. She was so happy you came to see her.
I will return the kindness by helping you with your party. You are important to me. Love, Debbie