Mary,

You have done a great job of explaining the bizarre world of dementia.

It's to watch our loved ones deal with it, and sometimes so difficult for us to grasp as well.

 

Lainey and Mary,

The Assisted Living he's in has a base rate and then they add a monthly fee on top of it, based on how much extra assistance they do for the person. For an extra $450 a month, my dad is supposed to be getting assistance everyday with meds, being called to eat, and encouragement to shower. When I asked about the showering, I was told if he refused to shower they can't force him. He hasn't had trouble with his buttons that I know of, and he does shave almost everyday. I'm waiting to see how it goes with the little card I gave him. He read it three times while I was there this afternoon. It might work. I figure I will call him again, ahead of time, and tell him pick up the card and read it. I'll see if it helps right now. I know he'll get worse and will need help but not yet. It's partly motivation at this point.

I'm still getting the hang of the place he's in too. I was none too happy to see the same sheets on his bed today as for the past 11 days. I put a nice mattress topper on his bed and it was about falling off. The place says they will change and wash the sheets every week. I changed them today, and brought home the dirty ones, and called the front desk and told them not to take off the clean sheets because I already changed them. I'm taking notes so when we have the one month review, I will let them know I'm not happy with them not holding up their end of the agreement. They're charging us $2810 a month and his sheets have been changed once in 20 days.


On a lighter note, I think this weekend calls for an S drive. I think I'll see what so cal has on tap.

 

Hang in Patty & keep up on the Assisted Living place. I don't like to get down on the places trying to assist but it seems they need regular reminders. It has been an interesting last year for us not dealing with the same issues anymore.

On a lighter note - were off for Phoenix tomorrow going out to a 50th wedding anniversary for an aunt & uncle. Turned out to be a small family reunion. Making a long weekend of it. Looking forward to getting away from the winter weather for a couple of days.

 

Leaving this weekend and going to St. Louis for the next 12 days on business.

 

I have my mother-in-law in assisted living here in Texas. They charge about $2K/mo but there is daily cleaning and they wash their clothes. In addition they follow up on all meds, three hots a day, and lots of activities. Not bad for the price. When we moved her from independent living over to assisted she was not happy. Said there were too many old people (she is 87). She has adjusted to her new surroundings.

 

I started my weekend early and took today off. I had many errands and needed to select and/or pick up, curtains, lighting, hardware, etc. for the kitchen re-do.

Over the weekend, we'll get the kitchen ready for the carpenter, and spend some time with Allison.

It's cold and VERY windy, so I don't see any outdoor activities on the "things to do" list.

 

Tom, if it was one weekend later (March 3 ,4 and 5) you'd be there for the Phoenix gang's Southwest S2000s in the Sun. Andy and I are leaving Acton next Thursday, stopping overnight at the Grand Canyon, and hitting Phoenix on Friday. We're taking both S2000s. I haven't done the Arizona meet before and it should be fun.

I'll be watching for those needed reminders at the Assisted Living place. Thanks.

 

Make sure to visit Ted Drew's Frozen Yogurt place. Order "Concrete" and let me know how you like it. When I went to school in St. Louis, that was a high light of our weekend for all of us living in the dorm.

 

Expecting a decent weekend! We plan to go see "Worlds Fastest Indian" which is finally playing near us, and then tomorrow we have a ride lined up with about 6 other S's. Temps are supposed to be in the mid-60's so we will probably have the top down for a good portion of the drive.

 

Well, the weekend in Wilmington, NC was a blast. Saw good friends, some Carolina S2K members (about 15) and their cars, and had a wonderful time at the Navy ceremony on board the USS North Carolina. The ceremony itself had to be below decks, since it rained, but it made it more intimate and nice. About 100 peeps there. The +1 gave an awesome speech about the ship and the newly commissioned officer, Jeremy. And guess what??!! I was sitting next to Jeremy at dinner and mentioned the meet the next day with the S2K buds. Then he told me he has an S2K (04)!! Silverstone/black. Very . He and his wife live in SoCal.