Author Archives: Jenny Mummert

Unknown's avatar

About Jenny Mummert

This blog was originally titled "Drifting Toward Planet Elderly," and it shared a journey I had with my elderly parents as they both went through their later years battling the complexities of dementia. After both passed on, I changed the title to "Living on Planet Elderly." I am a retiree who is reluctantly adjusting to the reality that she is now elderly. In July of 2021, I relocated to Middleton WI after living in Columbia MO for over 40 years. I decided that I want to experience a new and vibrant location in a cooler climate with lakes...a bucket list item of mine. I have a first cousin who lives in Madison. We have nice childhood memories, and I thought it would be wonderful to spend some time together as elders. It was. AND THEN....in March 2023, I returned to Columbia. I had a wonderful time experiencing the Madison area of Wisconsin, spending time with my cousin, and making some wonderful friends. No regrets.

Parental Journal 112 from Planet Elderly: She’s 94 and Still Spunky

Posted on August 17, 2020 by Jenny Mummert

Monday, August 17, 2020 – mid-afternoon Extended Birthday Mom’s birthday was yesterday, August 16.  Visitors aren’t allowed on the weekend, so we celebrated early during our Thursday visit and again today.  On Sunday, she had specially made birthday cake and … Continue reading →

Posted in Parental Journal | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Pandemic Times: THANK YOU, JOE!!

Posted on August 12, 2020 by Jenny Mummert

Wednesday, August 12, 2020 – early a.m. I woke up this morning with a sense of hope. Kamala Harris, Joe Biden’s choice for a running mate, is the reason for that.  I am beyond thrilled.  I am moved to tears … Continue reading →

Posted in Pandemic Times | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Pandemic Times: Yes, I Joined the COVID 19 Bread Making Craze and Returned to Reading Books

Posted on August 11, 2020 by Jenny Mummert

Tuesday, August 11, 2020 – mid-morning Using My Stay-at-Home Time Constructively I know I’m not alone.  We’ve all been adjusting to and living with various COVID 19 developments and restrictions for over six months now.  We want it to end.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Pandemic Times | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Six Weeks after Knee Replacement Surgery: Going Rogue Worked for Me

Posted on August 8, 2020 by Jenny Mummert

Saturday, August 8, 2020 – mid-morning Going Rogue After 4 1/2 weeks, I decided to go rogue.  I was no longer taking narcotic pain medicine, I could bend my knee fairly well, so instead of having my neighbor drive me … Continue reading →

Posted in Knee Replacement Adventure | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Parental Journal 111 from Planet Elderly: Covid Greetings from Mom

Posted on August 5, 2020 by Jenny Mummert

August 5, 2020 – early afternoon Terrific Visits Once I began driving after my knee replacement surgery, I was able to resume some “chatterbox” visits with Mom, and they were terrific.  They are held inside, which was awesome because outside … Continue reading →

Posted in Parental Journal | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Four Weeks after Knee Replacement

Posted on July 16, 2020 by Jenny Mummert

July 16, 2020  mid-afternoon Just a short post that the recovery from my knee replacement is going well. After two weeks, I was no longer using the walker.  It just seemed to get in the way.  I never transitioned to … Continue reading →

Posted in Knee Replacement Adventure, Parental Journal | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Two Weeks After Knee Replacement: Doing Well

Posted on July 1, 2020 by Jenny Mummert

July 1, 2020, early morning Looking Back Things move along pretty quickly with knee replacement surgery, and my situation was no exception. The surgery previous to mine ended early, so I was hustled along an hour earlier than scheduled.  I … Continue reading →

Posted in Knee Replacement Adventure | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Have a Knee Replacement in the Middle of a Pandemic? Oh, Hell. Why Not?

Posted on June 17, 2020 by Jenny Mummert

Wednesday, June 17, 2020 I Could Have Blamed Chubby Checker …but because it happened so long ago, I won’t.  I was a young teenager, home alone after school, listening to the radio, and all of a sudden I heard the … Continue reading →

Posted in Knee Replacement Adventure | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Parental Journal 110 from Planet Elderly: New Chatterbox Visit Setup with Mom

Posted on June 10, 2020 by Jenny Mummert

June 10, 2020 late morning   Chatterbox Setup When I visited Mom Monday at 11, Lenoir Woods had a new setup for visiting called Chatterbox.  I don’t know if this is something circulating in care homes or if this is … Continue reading →

Posted in Parental Journal | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Parental Journal 109 from Planet Elderly: Pandemic Window Visit with Mom

Posted on May 19, 2020 by Jenny Mummert

Now I See You! I was thrilled to receive an email from Lenoir Woods, Mom’s long term care community, inviting me to have a window visit with her.  We had had a Zoom visit, but this would be a wonderful … Continue reading →

Posted in Parental Journal | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment