1-12-2012

I went by early today, a little after 1 in the afternoon.  Mom was in the main area, sitting at the table, dead asleep.  Sleeping at inappropriate times and places was one of the things that her previous independant living facilities used to call me about.  Here it seems to be normal...there were 3 other ladies asleep in their chairs also.  It reminded me of a post-lunch corporate meeting or something.

When Mom saw me, she was fine, and I didn't stay very long.  I asked her what she had been doing all day - "Eating.  That's all we do is eat here.  Then we walk from floor to floor, and eat again."

She also talked about the doctor quite a bit, but I couldn't tell if she had seen the doctor, or if her story was implying that the nurses spoke to him about her.  She seems to think she is now taking more pills that she used to "Oh yes, they watch my sugar, and I have to take my shots SIX times, every day.  And I need to wash my clothes.  I've had a lot of accidents.  I think it is the medicine and I can't tell I have to go until its too late."

The good thing is, they'll take care of your laundry for you here.  We just need to make sure you put everything in your hamper.

"Oh yes, I always put everything in my hamper.  I haven't even seen the doctor, but the nurses always tell me they're just doing what the doctor said. And then we just walk around...and I eat again, just waiting until I can go back home."

This is home, Mom.

"Yes, I know.  But this isn't my group.  I mean when I go back to my group."

This is your group now, Mom.  "This isn't my group.  I don't know any of these ladies, or their names or anything."

Well, we'll have to introduce you to more ladies.  You can talk to these ladies, they're in your group 

Just then, one of the ladies came up behind me while I was sitting at the table.  She got to within 6 inches of my face and just sat there.  Are you miss Elsie?  <she nodded> Hi Elsie, it's nice to meet you.  I'm Kim.  See Mom, you can talk to Elsie.

"And all of these ladies have diabetes?"

Well either diabetes or memory issues.  She was thinking about it.  I continued... The nurses here are very good at understanding diabetes and memory issues.

"Oh yes, they sure are.  They're always checking me for something.  They say 'Pearl, what are you doing now?'

They're here to make sure you stay safe and healthy, Mom.

I headed out shortly after that and told her I would see her tomorrow.  "Ok, thanks for stopping by!"