Later that afternoon (Mon) Darryl and I went down to see for ourselves how she was doing. She was very confused and her mobility had been limited to a wheel chair. We checked on her apartment and saw the room she would be staying in. We brought her into the dining room on the 2nd floor where I urged her to sit with 3 other ladies. Introductions were made and she made a meal decision and we left.
Dad went down to see her on Tuesday. He got to see how she was getting along and we later met for dinner to discuss Nana and how we all felt. Chris and the kids joined us. We ate at Bite of Boston, a new place that has whole belly fried clams. I think we were all kind of in a state of shock coming to terms with Nana getting slower and possibly having to stay on the 2nd floor.
The 2nd floor is an assisted living situation and most of the residents have a genuine fear of having to live there. It's not quite a hospital room environment but it smells like one. There are caregivers there that assist with everything including getting out of bed in the morning, getting dressed, going to the bathroom, getting you to activities and meals and getting you ready for bed. The fear stems from giving up their independence. If you are strong enough mentally and physically you can basically go about your day but if you really have a need to get where you are going you are pretty much stationed on the 2nd floor and can't go anywhere else unless someone can take you.
Wednesday Hailey and I went and had lunch with Nana which meant she got to eat in the dining room on the first floor. Her friends were glad to see her and were genuinely concerned since she was traveling by wheel chair. She was doing a little better but still having trouble finding most words to have a steady conversation.
It was decided on Tuesday the 14th that Nana would be staying on the 2nd floor. She would stay in the apartment she was in but move to the other room because it was bigger. There is a chance that sometime in the future she could have a roommate. This is very upsetting to her. They would be sharing a bathroom and kitchenette area. The people at Redwood are working with us and are very understanding of Nana's needs and will not place anyone there if they can help it. I had lunch with Nana on Wednesday and I did some measuring to see how things would fit. I sat with her for about an hour and just listened to her talk. I felt compelled to record her at one point and did so for about 30 mins. I think there were several topics strung together throughout. Dad spent a lot of time packing and moving things Thursday. We were all there on Friday to assist with the big move. Her bed a dresser and all of her lamps, desk, TV, chair and viewer were brought up. Dad unpacked the kitchen and I did all of her clothes and desk stuff. Darryl did the running back and forth making sure we had everything she needed. I made some bold, less is more decisions, hoping that out of sight would mean out of mind. Just keeping everything for clothing that she is used to having around. So far so good.
Eric, Yolanda and the kids came down on Saturday and were able to visit with her for a bit. (Which she is still talking about) They were able to give us insight as to how she felt the move went. Of course she was upset. Enough said. (except to say that I had winter and summer clothing mixed together, how dare I?)
Eric, Yolanda, Dad and the kids stopped in again on Tuesday on their way back from Mexico. Nana was trying to walk again. The walker had been brought up!
Hailey and I went to see her on Wednesday for lunch. She was walking with her walker, but very slowly. The slowest ever. We made it to the 1st floor for lunch and she got to visit with some friends she hand't seen in a while. We had a good visit. We also got to see a lady steal food from the cafeteria. She was told she couldn't take food at lunch since it's a buffet and you can eat as much as you want. She wrapped up her muffin and blueberry pie and stowed it in her walker anyway and high tailed it out of there. Well, as fast as you can go on a four wheeled walker with a folding seat.
Today I went to pack the remaining things from her kitchen and living room that need to be moved back to Dads. Not much left to move but Darryl and Ken are going to move it all with the box truck tomorrow. I was able to have lunch with her today and reassure her that some other things were getting taken care of. She did get pretty upset today when I told her she couldn't have her computer chair back. (It does't have arms and it wobbles because we had to take the wheels off) She even teared up at one point. So hard to give up your independence and be told what you can and can't do.
For the most part I think she's getting better and will have a pretty good time on the 2nd floor. She has a lot less to worry about and she's getting to all of her activities on time. She was walking much better today and I told her she seemed faster. Someone else told her they thought she was standing up straighter.
Now you are up to speed regarding Nana.
