Category Archives: Parental Journal
Parental Journal 110 from Planet Elderly: New Chatterbox Visit Setup with Mom
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
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Tagged dementia, elderly parents, Lenoir Woods, pandemic visits, skilled nursing unit
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Parental Journal 109 from Planet Elderly: Pandemic Window Visit with Mom
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
Parental Journal 108 from Planet Elderly: First Zoom Session with Mom
Monday, May 5, 2020 early afternoon “Your Teeth Are So White” I am very grateful for some Zoom time with Mom a while back. It was arranged by the Director of Activities. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but … Continue reading
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Tagged coronavirus, dementia, elderly parents, pandemic, skilled nursing, Zoom
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Parental Journal 107 from Planet Elderly: Visits No Longer Allowed
Sunday, March 15, 2020 late afternoon Alone Like many who are no longer permitted to visit loved ones in nursing homes, I’m concerned about my mom feeling alone. However, I trust that staff have tried to explain the coronavirus situation … Continue reading
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Tagged coronavirus, dementia decline, elderly parents, Netflix, nursing home
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Parental Journal 106 from Planet Elderly: “You look familiar.”
Sunday February 16, 2020 – afternoon When I stopped in to see Mom today, she was sitting in a chair in the TV area. I walked up to her and said, “Hi, Mom. How ya doin’?” She smiled, looked at … Continue reading
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Tagged aging parents, dementia, Influenza B, laryngitis, Mocktails, NY Times, Robitussin, Silent Reflux
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Parental Journal 105 from Planet Elderly: Christmastime 2019
Thursday, December 26, 2019 It’s Sad Looking back on the past week or so, it’s sad to know that Mom isn’t remembering any of it. Not the area Christmas party with gifts, snacks ,and music…not the Christmas dinner we enjoyed … Continue reading
Posted in Parental Journal
Tagged aging parents, Christmas 2019, CNN, dementia, dementia decline, eldercare, elderly parents, Lenoir Woods
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Parental Journal 104 from Planet Elderly: Breakfast? What Breakfast?
Monday, November 25, 2019 – mid-morning I am fortunate that things continue to be stable now that Mom has been a resident in the Woods Central neighborhood of Lenoir Woods for a little over one year. “Stable” means that she … Continue reading
Posted in Parental Journal, Uncategorized
Tagged aging, Alzheimer's, dementia, elder care, elderly parents, Lenoir Woods, long-term care, memory loss, New Mexico, road trip
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Parental Journal 103 from Planet Elderly: Part Mom Part Child
October 13, 2019 late afternoon Adult children who become caretakers or care managers of their elderly parents with dementia know that the reversal of roles can be quite challenging, especially when the parent has no clue of his/her limitations. Sweet … Continue reading
Posted in Parental Journal, Uncategorized
Tagged aging parents, Alzheimer's, care manager, caregiving, dementia, legally blind
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Parental Journal 102 from Planet Elderly: Mom’s 93rd Birthday
August 22, 2019 – late afternoon On August 16, 2019 Mom turned 93. Early that morning, I sent an email to pals announcing the occasion and what was planned: Lenoir will make her a small, beautiful cake (she ordered chocolate) … Continue reading
Parental Journal 101 from Planet Elderly: Naming Mom’s Toilet and Other Realities of Dementia
Morning, June 17, 2019 For the past several months, Mom has been coasting along quite well in the Woods Central neighborhood of Lenoir Woods. Walker? What Walker? Mom is the only resident who does not use a wheelchair, although she … Continue reading
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