Author Archives: Jenny Mummert
Parental Journal 09 from Planet Elderly: Gradually Adjusting to a New Chapter
Sunday, April 12, 2015 6:30 a.m. Very calm day yesterday. We had a nice visit with Dad and Mom didn’t cry much. At one point yesterday she asked me, “Do you think Dad is ever coming home?” I told her … Continue reading
Posted in Parental Journal
Tagged Condell, dementia, edema, elderly driving, elderly parents, ER, forgetfulness, long-term care, mental decline, Victory Lakes
Leave a comment
Parental Journal 08 from Planet Elderly: Issues and the Oxygen Argument
Tues. April 8, 2015 morning Dad had a low grade fever yesterday, so the nurse kept him in the dementia wing during lunch. We visited with him there, but he did not eat anything. Nursing staff are concerned about the … Continue reading
Posted in Parental Journal
Tagged Alzheimer's, caretaker stress, confusion, dementia, DNR, elderly caretaker, short-term memory loss, The 36-Hour Day
Leave a comment
Parental Journal 07 from Planet Elderly: Wearing Out My Welcome
Parental Journal 07 April 6, 2015 I think I’m kind of wearing out my welcome. On one hand, Mom is extremely grateful I’m here helping to organize paperwork, help advocate, keep her on track, do a little cooking, etc. On … Continue reading
Posted in Parental Journal
Tagged Alzheimer's, benefits, caregiver guilt, dementia, elderly, incontenence, nursing home, respite care
Leave a comment
Parental Journal 06 from Planet Elderly: Preparing to Transition Dad to Long-term Care
Parental Journal 06 March 30 – April 1, 2015 Mon. March 30, 2015 – late afternoon Once we arrived at The Village today, Mom was talking again about wanting to take Dad home. She cried a lot, went to visit … Continue reading
Posted in Parental Journal
Tagged elderly driving, long-term care, short-term memory loss
Leave a comment
Parental Journal 05 from Planet Elderly: Insistance, Confusion, and Rip Van Winkle
It’s interesting to re-read journal entries and edit them a bit, before I post them here. I’m an only child baby boomer who has elderly parents dealing with dementia/Alzheimer (Dad-93) and short-term memory loss (Mom-almost 89). We live 400 miles … Continue reading
Parental Journal Entry 04 from Planet Elderly: Some Interesting Acquaintances
Parental Journal 04 March 26, 2015 afternoon Transition time ahead. Dad goes from the rehab care paid for by Medicare to respite care, not paid for by Medicare. The facility allows up to three weeks of respite care paid for … Continue reading
Parental Journal 03 from Planet Elderly: From Hospital to Rehab
Parental Journal Monday March 23, 2015 evening Mom and I had a conference today to discuss Dad’s discharge from the rehab section of where he is now. She has vacillated between getting him home and keeping him at the Village. … Continue reading
Posted in Parental Journal
Tagged confusion, forgetfulness, long-term care, planet elderly, skilled nursing
Leave a comment
Parental Journal 01 and 02 from Planet Elderly: Apprenticeship Begins
This is the year I’m involved in a genuine apprenticeship on Planet Elderly. I gave up a part-time community college teaching assignment in order to be on call if/when my elderly parents need my assistance. They live in the NW … Continue reading
Posted in Parental Journal
Tagged Alzheimer's, caretaker, dementia, elderly parents, journal, parental confusion, short-term memory loss
Leave a comment
Thanksgiving Kudos to Amtrak
I decided to take Amtrak this Thanksgiving rather than fly. Glad I did. Typically, I would drive from Columbia, MO to St. Louis. Then I’d take Southwest Airlines to Midway Airport in Chicago. Then I’d get a shuttle to Union … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Amtrak, Chicago, Grayslake, Metra, Thanksgiving, train travel, Union Station
Leave a comment
Encounter with Italian Chef
Aug. 12, 2009 – Chef Encounter So I was taking the 10:30 p.m. Chicago Metra from Union Station to Grayslake, IL and one of the last passengers to get on was a man who sat in front of me. … Continue reading
Living on Planet Elderly 