Baby It's Cold Outside - Happy 62 Byron!!!!

So this afternoon we were just sitting around talking. Enjoying going through her mail, putting the proper size lids under the plants and just having a nice visit. Someone from X-Rays R Us came in to take a picture of her shoulder and a PT tech came in to say she was scheduled for therapy at 3. Around 3:30 mom decided she was tired and got in to bed to take a nap.

While we were talking we focused on what's next. Does she go home? Does she go to assisted living? What are her plans? She feels no one wants her to go home. I pointed out to her that is the issue. She could go home, but it would be with someone living with her 24/7 and taking care of her. She expressed her thoughts that maybe she could have someone come in twice a day and it was pointed out that what would happen if she couldn't get off the toilet between visits? What if she fell? If she was trying to fix something to eat and knocked a pan off the stove how would it get cleaned up? I posed several situations that are real possibilities. I also pointed out her strength is not what it was when she was discharged from Heartland in July, and probably would not get back to that point.

She brought up the topic of assisted living and expressed interest in Sunrise which is out Rochester road. She said they have been calling her about coming out and maybe it would be a good idea. She likes the idea of Sunrise because someone from Church is there. When I asked about St Anne's she said it was okay but the rooms were too small.

While talking about this emotional subject she shared that she probably wouldn't be able to sell her house and the cost of having someone live in would be about the same as being in a facility she felt that living at home would be feasible.

As the discussion wound down we talked about how important it is for her to make the decision, at this point. I suggested that she look at the pros and cons of each scenario and keep in mind that nothing is permanent. Unless her house sells. I also expressed my feelings that if she was able to get into an assisted living environment when she's discharged from Heartland (sometime in January I guess) it would be better than returning to Meadowlark and going through what she did last winter.

Bottom line? She's thinking about things and starting to appreciate that regardless where she ends up, it's going to be a change from what she is used to. I reminded her that acceptance of things does not mean she has to like them she just needs to be willing to try.

So that's it for today.