Author Archives: Jenny Mummert

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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 99 from Planet Elderly: Mom Now Resides in a Skilled Nursing Community

Posted on November 23, 2018 by Jenny Mummert

The journey with dementia moves onward, and during the past couple of months Mom has fallen a few times.  Watching her gait over the summer, I could see that fall episodes would start in the near future. In September, she … Continue reading →

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Parental Journal 98 from Planet Elderly: “I Need to Find Myself”

Posted on August 1, 2018 by Jenny Mummert

Tues. July 31, 2018 Mom and I have been coasting along with a regular schedule for the past year and four months since she moved into assisted living memory care. Shelter Gardens outing Spring 2018   Our current schedule includes … Continue reading →

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Parental Journal 97 from Planet Elderly – There’s a Sadness Settling In

Posted on January 12, 2018 by Jenny Mummert

January 8, 2018 afternoon Mom has been at her assisted living memory care community for almost 10 months now.  I am so fortunate that, although difficult in the first few months, she acclimated better than I thought.  I owe a … Continue reading →

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Parental Journal 96 from Planet Elderly – Christmas at The Arbors 2017

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Jenny Mummert

Although it was a quiet Christmas this year, it was meaningful. The decorations at The Arbors were beautiful, especially the spectacular Christmas tree.  Mom loved it…and kept insisting that “it’s been up for two years.”  Not sure how she came … Continue reading →

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Parental Journal 95 from Planet Elderly: Wearing Three Bras Today?

Posted on November 22, 2017 by Jenny Mummert

Our Routine I visit almost every day…mid-morning.  Some folks wonder why, but I enjoy being part of Mom’s community.  I’m probably still dealing with a bit of guilt for changing Mom’s life so dramatically when I moved her down here … Continue reading →

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Parental Journal 94 from Planet Elderly – Visiting Miss Pearl and Friends

Posted on October 10, 2017 by Jenny Mummert

October 9, 2017 – afternoon Mom’s been living at her memory care community for a little over six months.  I visit her every day unless I’m out of town (rarely) or dealing with something like the upper respiratory virus I’ve … Continue reading →

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Parental Journal 93 from Planet Elderly – Mom’s House Is Empty Now

Posted on October 1, 2017 by Jenny Mummert

Thursday, September 30, 2017 – afternoon I spent most of the week of September 11 in Grayslake, Illinois emptying Mom’s townhouse and getting it ready to put on the market.  It was one of the most difficult weeks of my … Continue reading →

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Parental Journal 92 from Planet Elderly: About that 91st Birthday

Posted on August 20, 2017 by Jenny Mummert

Saturday, August 19, 2017 – afternoon Tears I have lots of nice memories floating in my mind from Mom’s 91st birthday, and they start with tears.  I was assembling Mom’s gift bag, wrapping new clothing items in pink tissue paper … Continue reading →

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Parental Journal 91 from Planet Elderly – Is It Time for Adult Pull-ups? Well, That Depends.

Posted on August 13, 2017 by Jenny Mummert

Saturday, August 12, 2017 – mid-afternoon As it turns out, yes.  It was time and Mom didn’t balk at all.  In fact, she seemed to be a kind relieved to know that if she didn’t quite make it to the … Continue reading →

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Parental Journal 90 from Planet Elderly: “What Was It That Made Us Move Here?”

Posted on June 17, 2017 by Jenny Mummert

  Friday, June 16, 2017 – afternoon At Last…Mom Has Settled In It’s hard to believe that within two and a half months’ time, Mom has settled into her new “apartment” at Mill Creek Village – The Arbors.  She started … Continue reading →

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