Mom's new Digs

Afternoon juice

the common area for this unit

Mom's semi-private room

Mom was moved from the "care center" in Loveland to a Fort Collins facility just before Thanksgiving. This care center has an Alzheimers/Dementia unit and it has been a very good move for her. At the Loveland center she roamed all over the building (4 wings) in her wheelchair and she was so confused as to where her room was and why she was there; she had to wear an ankle bracelet that set off an alarm when she tried to get out the doors; she went to different areas of the building for activities and meals. Too much over stimulation.

In this secure unit the doors are locked so the residents can't get out (no ankle bracelets and no alarms going off); the staff is specially trained for dementia patients; all her meals and activities take place in the common area; there are only about a dozen patients on this wing so she gets more attention; she has a nice window in her room and the common area has a large window and a glass door out to the secure patio area.

When I went to see her today she immediately recognized me and said, "Where have you been ... out shopping?" (I wonder why she would think THAT?) I took her down to the activity room where they have a computer and spent awhile showing her all the twins pictures on both Heather's and my blogs. She thoroughly enjoyed that, even though she didn't remember who the babies were from time to time, nor that they were twins, and she kept commenting that "they sure do look alike."

I commented it was nice that she had per pictures on the wall. She said, "Yes, I think Denise put those up there." I told her that was probably right (except I knew Denise would NEVER hang them up that high - ha!) I left her with a new 6-month photo of the twins.

When I left, she called out to me, "Pam ... you be careful now." Her memory is definitely failing but there are some things she just does not forget! Mom is doing pretty well for being 98+ years old.