Dad is much more alert in the mornings, so Mom is doing her best to see Dad in the mornings, on the days she works in the afternoon. She went to visit Dad yesterday morning to check on his recent fall. She found him sitting in his wheel chair in the hall of the nursing home, with a couple of others, near the nurses station. He was glad to see her, but began talking doom and gloom.
Mom tried to steer the conversation toward more pleasant subjects, but he was very concerned about her living alone. He talked of all the bad in the world and how important it was to "teach the grandchildren about the American flag and patriotism". Don't worry Dad, you have taught your family well, and we will carry on those traditions you fought so valiantly to protect.
Mom tried to quiz Dad about his fall. He told her it happened because he doesn't have his soft black shoes. Mom had no idea what shoes he is talking about, but I remembered some really nice black Nikis he was wearing when my husband and I visited him, and gave him his painting. He wanted Mom to take him home right away to find them. She told him she could not handle him alone with his wheelchair, so he suggested Mom call "one of the boys". She told him they were at work, so Dad wanted Mom to take him shopping for a new pair. I sympathize with her, because some days, Dad can be like agruing with a two year old...
I think I will have to call to have the nursing home, to investigate one particular, little-old-white-haired-pony-tailed-lady, both my sister and I have caught "borrowing Dad's shoes".
The doctor saw him Friday and ordered more Lasix for his swollen leg. One of the nurses put the white pressure hose on Dad, because when she tried to put the prescription compression stockings on, he yelled and said they were too tight. She got them on him yesterday without any complaints.
The charge nurse made a sign and put it above Dad's bed to remind everyone to put the stockings on Dad in the morning when he gets up and remove them when he goes to bed.
Desperate to change the subject, Mom asked Dad about the Harvest Festival party the nursing put on for the residents. There were decorations all over the home with bales of hay in the parking lot. Dad said he was scared and stayed in bed. Some days, are just stormier than others...
1 comment:
Hi Donna and thanks for visiting me at my blog. I've really enjoyed reading your posts. It gives me more insight into what it's like for the family members. I think it's so sweet that your Dad was worrying about teaching the kids. It shows a piece of his heart.
I can see that it's extra hard going through this, when you live away from him. And more difficult when it seems there is a problem with communicating to you. The things you are asking for are pretty basic and not at all out of line, so I hope your repeated phone calls get through to them, and help them to realize that this family really cares and is watching out for their Dad.
I know in our home we have some family members that we feel we can never make happy, but you truly don't sound like one of those. There are also many family members we respect and grow to love as much as our residents because of the way they love and care for their parent/spouse... and because we get to know them pretty well. Some of them, like you don't live nearby but we speak to them on the phone, and you can get a pretty good feel for someone that way.
Anyway - this is a long, rambling response. Hope it makes sense to you. I'll be back to read more.
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