Finally a visit

peeking through

I had a call from my uncle's partner recently.  My uncle lives in a long term care home and suffers from Alzheimer's.  It seems she was finally able to visit him after about 3 months (since the covid lockdown started).  She was required to make an appointment for the 45 minute visit through plexiglass and all masked up.  It was difficult she said, not being able to even hold his hand or touch him.  We spoke about the horrible problems in the long term care homes that have been highlighted during the covid outbreak.  They simply have to do something about the conditions there.  Meanwhile we all hope we die before we have to go live in one.

The Visit

I borrowed this image above from blogger Sheryl at Handmade Happiness.

Husband M and I went to visit my uncle at the long term care home where he lives, our Chrismas visit I guess.  I always make sure his partner will be there when we visit as he has advancing dementia.  He is on the ward where they are locked in now.   He used to appreciate a box of unsalted cashews but this year I took a poinsettia plant to brighten his room.  They feed him now, he eats more like baby food.  My husband thinks he recognized me, but I can't be sure.  He is lucky to have his partner there with him 5 out of 7 days a week and she stays for 6 hours each day.

Seasonal Decoration

I thought this was a cute decoration at the doors of the shopping mall.

So have you watched the Disney movie Frozen?  They have started running it on regular TV now.  I absolutely love the ending!

My mom is having fluid retention issues due to her congestive heart failure condition.  Every few years she has these episodes where her ankles become swollen and she can gain 5 pounds within only a few days. She becomes very short of breath.  She tells me she is not tired, just out of breath.  I keep records of these occurrences and the doses of the water pill she takes.  The pills really help her but the body can develop a tolerance for this medicine.  The pharmacist was really helpful and faxed a requisition to our family doctor asking for refills we can use 'as needed'.  So I have a plan in place and my fingers crossed that she can weather this episode!  She lives with my sister and her family who are now ready and anxiously waiting for her to move into long term care as she needs a lot of assistance day to day.

The Boulder

This is the boulder on which the senior ladies sat in my recent post.

I went with my sister and her husband yesterday to see a long term care home for my mom. It was a beautiful facility but unfortunately the homes in our area are now a 4 to 5 year wait. It is different for the private care homes I think, but they are very expensive. The government care centre will start sending a worker to help with bathing my mom for an hour, a couple of times per week, and hopefully that will help somewhat with her ongoing care. They have recommended updates to her bathroom, such as a shower chair, grab bars, etc.

I arranged with my mom's pharmacy to start creating 4 week pill packs for her. They did a good job with the first batch picked up yesterday. She takes 14 pills in the morning (including 3 supplements) and 7 pills at night. It is a government service and there is no charge.

It is Time

oops, my post went out late this afternoon, I forgot to set the time when I pre-posted.

Spotted over the fence:

My sister has decided it is time to apply for my mom to go to a long term care home. My mom shares a house with them and she is well taken care of.  They are feeling the strain of her care as she needs help with most things. The application process can take years so it is a delicate question of timing. You go on a waiting list but if there is an opening she has to go or else you are put at the bottom of the list. We will be going on a tour of our first choice home early next week. It will be a new stage of life and learning for us all.