Care Conference

We all got together to assess mom's care on Wednesday.  We went over a lot of problems and praises.  Here is a run down of what happened. 

Cushion for her left leg on the wheelchair.  Solution:  Hillary and Holly will make a cover out of sheepskin so that her leg that is more cushioned.  Facility was okay with this they just want to approve it when we bring it in.
She would like to have a bed trapeze in her bed.  This will have to be assessed by the therapy dept.  They want to make sure that she is strong enough to use it.  They will get back to us. 

Mom is now on restorative physical therapy six days a week.  She will be working on learning how to sit to stand, build strength and the biggest goal of all is transferring from one place to the other.  It would be great if she didn't have to use the sara lift anymore. She has two therapists.  One is a guy by the name of Robert.  She likes him because he plays the banjo and sings at the home. She is loving the stationary bike and she is logging in the miles.  Today she did the standing elliptical for 15 minutes.  She is tired but happy.  She will be building muscles that I don't even have. 

Taking a bath has been a problem.  They have now agree ed to giving her a bath on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.  We hope that this will help for her muscles after therapy sessions.   

She got her diabetic shoes so her corn doesn't hurt so much.  She said they were a little big but they feel better.  Her hand brace is being ordered and the last time I talked to her she said that they were fitting her with one.  They seem to be doing the things that they promised so far.  I hope that it continues.

Eye glasses will be paid for so that she can get her eye sight back. She is having trouble with small text, Raylean suggested that we get her a magnifying glass, she thought that was fine.   I told her that we needed her glasses so that she can help with the quilting.  I understand what it feels like not to be able to see.  Oh boo hoo.  Sorry self pity party for a moment.

They have her in some ted hose. They are the kind that have the hole in the top.  She hates them because she can feel the seam.  Ordering ones that are one piece.  Hopefully will have them in a couple of days.

Occupational therapy is working with her to help with dressing, combing hair, brushing teeth, and all the daily activities that we take for granted.  The grand kids have been working with her when they are there to learn some of the same things.  They are so proud when they all do it.  

The church has been wonderful.  They sure have big shoes to fill because she loved the Portland church so much.  One of the elders is taking it upon himself to make sure that this church is better in her eyes.  They are involving her in all the activities if she wants to be a part of them  The kneading of the bread was a highlight, but she is also going to go to a canning place and put up food for the church for the winter.  One of the people at this church works with people with limitations and is willing to help her go to the bathroom while at church.  They make sure someone is with her at all times and wait for the bus with her at the end of the service.  You really can't ask for anything more.

Raylean is working on getting her hooked up to the internet.  They don't have wireless until the remodel is done.  She is planning on getting her a stick so that she can get connected to the outside world again.  I think it will be fun when this happens so that we can Skype.  She also would like to work on her genealogy for the church.  She bought that up a couple of times in the meeting.

It sure is hot in the building now.  The swamp cooler isn't doing it when the temperature outside is 96.  For the most part she is doing fine.  They have done some of the outside work now.  The roof and the extensions on one side of the building.  The activity department is so happy because that is there side.  PT would have liked their side done first.  Parking is a problem.  It was small to begin with and now it is harder. 

The happiest thing that Leslee said to all of us at the end of the meeting is that mom is not a vegetable and that she is fun to have around.  That not only made her day but for all of us in the room it made ours.