Monthly Visits

This week I made my usual visits to see Jerry and Mom and Dad. Unfortunately, I could not take mom and dad to see Jerry because they have an infection among some the the residents that dad doesn't need to catch. So this is how Jerry was when I first entered Rocky Bay. He had just had some physical therapy to keep him limber and strong enough to help with his own mobilization. He continues to have some silent strokes and it has changed him a lot. He no longer winks, blows kisses, talks or stands alone. He hardly responded when I talked to him. After a few minutes of talking, I asked if he ever thought about his mom and dad. That got him to open his eyes and look at me. After that, a little puppy they bring in for the residents caught his eye and and he followed him with his eyes. A couple of the staff talked to me and said how much they miss the old Jerry. He was such a flirt and they all loved that about him along with his friendliness, cooperative nature and joy in all the activities they have. One of the ladies got a little emotional. The lady sitting near him and holding his hand is Marianne. She is one of the residents there and she and Jerry have become great friends. She is a sweetheart and as you can see loves necklaces and hairbands. I asked her if he ever talks to her and she says, "yes, in the mornings, a little".



Rose has hired a caregiver to come in and help with mom and dad. Her name is Adeline and mom and dad seem very comfortable with her. Carrie Ann helped find her for Rose. It is no longer safe to leave them alone even for a short time. Besides helping to feed dad, help him to the bathroom, she does little physical therapy things with him. Dad seemed easier to move this week. Mom seems to have adopted a couple of "anxiety" areas. One of those is the checkbook and the other is the medication. It's typical of Alzheimer's patients to tend to focus and worry about certain things the more it progresses. Mom will always ask me to sit and play some piano duets with her. This time I noticed that she forgot her part often. She would tell me that she is used to playing the other part. But when we switched she couldn't play it at all. It's sad for me to see her lose her ability to do some of the things she loves. She was also proud of the cards she got for Mother's Day.

I remember Nancy Reagan sayng about President Reagan that Alzheimer's is a "long good-bye". They slowly change into someone you don't know. That makes me sad. So for the time being, I plan to enjoy what she is now and deal with the rest later.