Last night, the home that Mom lives in had their annual holiday party for the families of the residence. A nice singer, hot and cold appetizers and plenty of sugary treats. Mom has forgotten many things in the past few years but she does remember every last word to all of the holiday songs being sung!
A couple pictures for you also.
Marthalene and Mom
Jerome and Mom
Laura, Pat and Joan
Great pics, Laura. Good to see you guys around here again. Sorry it took so long for me to get the pictures up. We just got back from the TSO concert. Happy Holidays to all of you.
I couldn't figure out how to attach the photos myself.
Joan and I saw TSO on 12/7. What an awesome show! We're seeing Mannheim Steamroller tonight. Paul and I also saw Ahmad Jamal at the Dakota on his birthday. Enough concerts for a while although Fleetwood Mac is coming in March. Hmmm...
I'll try to be better at keeping everyone updated on Mom. She's been at the "Lodge" in the advanced memory care unit since January with a 6 week stint in another facility after she broke her hip. It's hard to write positive things at times. Alzheimer's is the meanest disease there ever was, I hope they find a cure for it soon!
I thought you'd get a kick out of Mom's pal Jerome. She lights up whenever he is around. He "dances" with her every night. At times she calls him "Johnny" and at other times she calls him "Mark". He is very good to her and we all appreciate that.
Oh, Laura. I loved these pictures. All three of you look wonderful. Your mom looks happy and content. Alzheimer's IS mean, except possibly to the person suffering it. Have a great Christmas, all of you.
Send your photos to me any time, Laura. It's my pleasure. Good on Jerome.
When we have to have our loved ones in the care of others, all we can do is hope & pray that they are kind and caring. We found that out when Jude was in the NICU for five weeks and we were dependent on others to care for him. It's a humbling experience as well as heart breaking. It sounds like you got lucky. Aunt Pat looks good. And I agree with Mama, Alzheimer's IS mean, but probably mostly to the loved ones of the one suffering it.
Great pictures.Thanks for sharing them!
Great pictures. Auntie Pat looks good(as do you two)! Glad you feel comfortable with her living arrangements. John's mom is also suffering with Alzheimer's and has been in the nursing home for almost a year now. Unfortunately there has been a decline for her but she was ok this am when I stopped---she still knows all of us but forgets all the recent stuff. Merry Christmas to all of you.
Laura, Aunt Pat looks great! You have done a very good job being positive. I can only imagine what y'all go through. I agree with my Mama and Christina that it is hardest on the family members....not the one affected. I hope y'all have a Merry Christmas!
The twinkle in Auntie Pat's eyes when she's with Jerome is priceless:)
Laura and Joan you look radiant too!
What great pictures - thanks for sharing them.
Love seeing the pictures and hearing how y'all are coping. Good care-givers are such special people.
I saw a Nova on Alzheimer's recently. Scientists/Doctors are making strides, I hear, and are about 5 years away from a cure, though someone mentioned they said that 10 years ago.
Didn't know you were coping with that too, Nancy. It is sad to witness the decline of a parent.
I talked to Christina this morning and she asked me if I had seen these great pictures. I either am on a roll and check the blog regularly or forget about it completely. Anyway,the pictures are wonderful and I am very glad to know that Aunt Pat is so well taken care of. I am sure that affords your family immense peace.
Mike and I went to see Mom on Christmas morning and she was pretty smiley and "there". She was so happy to see her little boy. Mike was content as this is the first time in a year that she has called him by name. He is usually called "Bob" who was my Mom's brother.
I brought a small thermos along with some Bailey's in it so she could have her annual Bailey's in her coffee on Christmas. She grinned about it alot but I think she only had a small sip.
We really wanted to be able to bring her to my house for the Christmas Eve gathering but it was about -5 outside and she is in the wheelchair 95% of the time. Getting her in and out of the car would have been an ordeal in itself. The staff said they put on some old movies and those who were up later on Wednesday evening snuggled up on the sofa with their jammies and blankets. Sounds more like a slumber party!