Skip to content
BOL Conferences

Page 2 of 25 1 2 3 4 24 25
Thread Options
#1912274 - 04/07/14 04:32 PM Re: Caring for our parents Truffle Royale
80's Lady Offline
Gold Star
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 295
My Mom has Alzheimer's and I do a lot of "rolling with it"! Her "reasoner" is broken, so I try and keep that in mind. She too has lost her filter - which can make for some interesting comments - especially in Church when she doesn't use her inside voice!

Not to be a Debby Downer, but I will say that I don't think our country is ready for what is to come with the amount of people that are and will be suffering from the different dementias in the coming years.
_________________________
I use to think I was a smart cookie before I started working in Compliance. Now, I have mastered the art of the blank stare!

Return to Top
#1912287 - 04/07/14 04:51 PM Re: Caring for our parents Truffle Royale
MyBrainHurts Offline
Platinum Poster
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 960
Illinois
There's a sweet little old lady at my MIL's nursing home who misses her children horribly. A year ago, she would ask everyone if they had seen her children. Now, she cries almost constantly. I believe her family visits frequently, but she's so sad when they're not there. It's heartbreaking.

One more story, then I'll quit with sad stuff. Poet and retired EIU English professor Bruce Guerney's dad was in a VA home in Pennsylvania. One day, he wandered off, in the middle of winter. Despite massive searches, they couldn't find him. His remains were found several years later by hikers.
_________________________
I thought getting old would take longer.

Return to Top
#1912288 - 04/07/14 04:54 PM Re: Caring for our parents MyBrainHurts
RR Joker Offline
10K Club
RR Joker
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 20,656
The Swamp
frown
_________________________
My opinion only. Not legal advice.

Say you'll haunt me - Stone Sour

Return to Top
#1912298 - 04/07/14 05:07 PM Re: Caring for our parents MyBrainHurts
Truffle Royale Offline

10K Club
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 17,410
Originally Posted By: MyBrainHurts
His remains were found several years later by hikers.
For reassurance, the likelihood of this happening in a facility these days are much less. The standards for caring for patients with dementia are much stricter. Nursing homes now either have to have a lock down area or simply not take patients with dementia. Doors are outfitted with alarm systems and dementia patients wear bracelets that set them off. The staff to patient ratios are usually higher too. About the worst that happens now is someone may wander into the wrong room.

Return to Top
#1912409 - 04/07/14 08:17 PM Re: Caring for our parents Truffle Royale
MyBrainHurts Offline
Platinum Poster
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 960
Illinois
"About the worst that happens now is someone may wander into the wrong room."

Ok, I've got a story about that too. My mom was in a nursing home (where my MIL is now) that had hallways going off from a central nurses station like spokes on a wheel. It's easy for anyone to get down the wrong hall. One confused woman regularly went in mom's room and went to sleep in mom's bed. One day mom got so mad, she took off her slipper started spanking the woman with it. We had to have a meeting with the staff about that. It was just like having to meet with the principal when your kid misbehaves in school.
_________________________
I thought getting old would take longer.

Return to Top
#1912415 - 04/07/14 08:29 PM Re: Caring for our parents MyBrainHurts
RR Sarah Offline
Power Poster
RR Sarah
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,512
Up North
My dad lived in a complex for seniors. His building was independent living. There was a man that lived in the same building that targeted my dad from almost the day he moved in. It was kind of sad to see the bullying going on at that age. But, being the stubborn German that he was, my dad never backed down once the other guy started. And I know that my dad could be a jacka$$ but he would never start stuff like that. I spoke to the manager and she placed blame squarely on both of their shoulders. Okay, I can deal with that. We told my dad to steer clear of this guy and just walk away when he wanted to start carp. And he did until this guy jumped him right outside his apartment door one afternoon. He physically attacked my dad. That time I did not just let things lie. I made it perfectly clear when I talked to the manager that either that man left the building, permanently, or we were pressing charges. Turns out the man was suffering from a form of dementia brought on by kidney failure. He thought my dad was messing around with his girlfriend. His kids came and got him that afternoon, admitted him to the hospital and he passed away about a week later.
_________________________
Sometimes you have to burn a few bridges to keep the crazies from following you.

Return to Top
#1912437 - 04/07/14 09:15 PM Re: Caring for our parents Truffle Royale
Bankbb1, PITA Offline
Junior Member
Bankbb1, PITA
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 38
The Sovereign State Of Oklahom...
That's sad Sarah, but I'm afraid that I would be with you. If something or someone threatens your parents, your first rection is definitely not "Lets analyze this". Or least mine isnt. Its "Protect!", period.
The management of the facility, might have been able to do more than they did, however.
_________________________
Run like the wind, but never forget gravity. wink

Return to Top
#1912445 - 04/07/14 09:32 PM Re: Caring for our parents Bankbb1, PITA
RR Sarah Offline
Power Poster
RR Sarah
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,512
Up North
That was truly one of the most horrible things that I dealt with regarding my parents. But to give the situation some levity...my dad had just come from the hardware store where he had purchased a new toilet plunger so he fought this guy off with the plunger and his 15 lb mini-schnauzer! laugh
_________________________
Sometimes you have to burn a few bridges to keep the crazies from following you.

Return to Top
#1912455 - 04/07/14 09:50 PM Re: Caring for our parents Truffle Royale
Bankbb1, PITA Offline
Junior Member
Bankbb1, PITA
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 38
The Sovereign State Of Oklahom...
Yeah, toilet plungers at 10 paces.....
I could see that! smile
_________________________
Run like the wind, but never forget gravity. wink

Return to Top
#1912477 - 04/07/14 11:19 PM Re: Caring for our parents Truffle Royale
Kathleen O. Blanchard Offline

10K Club
Kathleen O. Blanchard
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 21,293
I just have to add that those of us with adult children could share this with them. Whenever I do something ( like trip and hit cheek on night stand resulting in lovely black eye, or recently, walking into furniture and breaking & dislocating toe) my daughter says "And so it begins!"
_________________________
Kathleen O. Blanchard, CRCM "Kaybee"
HMDA/CRA Training/Consulting/Mapping
The HMDA Academy
www.kaybeescomplianceinsights.com

Return to Top
#1912487 - 04/08/14 01:29 AM Re: Caring for our parents Truffle Royale
Truffle Royale Offline

10K Club
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 17,410
Keep in mind the distinct difference between assisted living and a nursing home. Assisted living is much less monitored than a nursing home. If you have a parent in an assisted living facility and you feel someone else in the facility is acting strangely or threateningly, you should make sure the director of the facility knows your concerns, maybe even in writing. If you don't feel your concerns are getting enough consideration, contact the ombudsman assigned to the facility. Ombudsman information and the latest exam findings must be made available to the public in care facilities.

fyi: My daughter has been director of nursing in a nursing home and is now the Health Services Director of an assisted living facility. I was the office manager of the nursing home when she was there. Then I got sucked back into the financial world. Guess that's when my dementia started. :0

Return to Top
#1912519 - 04/08/14 12:56 PM Re: Caring for our parents Truffle Royale
waldensouth Offline
Power Poster
waldensouth
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,988
FINALLY ABOVE the gnat line
My dad is 84 and my mom is 78 this year. Blessed beyond all comprehension that they are healthy as they are and able to remain in their home. The only real irritant is my mom is losing her hearing. She has hearing aids yet she choosed to call and talk to me at work while NOT wearing them. She can't understand why I refuse to yell into the phone at work - gets her feelings hurt.... I just don't understand why she won't wear them.......
_________________________
"Once you learn to read, you will be forever free."

- Frederick Douglass




My Opinion Only.

Return to Top
#1912523 - 04/08/14 01:07 PM Re: Caring for our parents Truffle Royale
Skittles Online
10K Club
Skittles
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 13,965
TN
Does she not want to wear them - or she forgets to put them in/on? My mother won't put hers on until after her shower, so if I speak with her before then I'm either yelling or spelling.

ETA - also Walden, they don't work really well for phone conversations - at least my mother's don't.
Last edited by Skittles; 04/08/14 01:07 PM.
_________________________
My Opinions Only

Return to Top
#1912529 - 04/08/14 01:18 PM Re: Caring for our parents Truffle Royale
edAudit Offline
Power Poster
edAudit
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,797
You are here
FWIW Hearing aids with telecoils work best on the phone. When using hearing aids without them they can produce a high pitch squeal like when you put a microphone up to a radio only much louder as the Hearing aid is much closer to you ear.

If she uses them with a speakerphone it may be better all around.
_________________________
Opinions can be considered as coming from anywhere but my employer.

CAMS


Return to Top
#1912557 - 04/08/14 01:52 PM Re: Caring for our parents Truffle Royale
waldensouth Offline
Power Poster
waldensouth
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,988
FINALLY ABOVE the gnat line
Thanks for the tips. She has never indicated that she had trouble using them with the phone.
_________________________
"Once you learn to read, you will be forever free."

- Frederick Douglass




My Opinion Only.

Return to Top
#1912574 - 04/08/14 02:07 PM Re: Caring for our parents Truffle Royale
Skittles Online
10K Club
Skittles
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 13,965
TN
Yes - speakerphones help a great deal - and thanks Ed. I had forgotten about that.
_________________________
My Opinions Only

Return to Top
#1912579 - 04/08/14 02:12 PM Re: Caring for our parents waldensouth
edAudit Offline
Power Poster
edAudit
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,797
You are here
Originally Posted By: waldensouth
Thanks for the tips. She has never indicated that she had trouble using them with the phone.


She does not wish for you to know that she can not hear in the first place so...
_________________________
Opinions can be considered as coming from anywhere but my employer.

CAMS


Return to Top
#1912623 - 04/08/14 03:38 PM Re: Caring for our parents edAudit
Truffle Royale Offline

10K Club
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 17,410
Originally Posted By: EdAudit
She does not wish for you to know that she can not hear in the first place so...
BINGO! And my mom gets po'd when I ask her to repeat what I just told her too.

I have been operating under the impression that she, who won't wear her hearing aid (she's deaf in one ear with 50% hearing left in the other) could hear me when she held the phone up to her good ear. But just yesterday she totally misunderstood what I asked her to do when I called from work so I'm now concerned that she's getting a bit muddled.

Can I just thank all y'all for being here to listen? Just saying it and knowing others are facing similar trials is a huge shoring up for me.

Return to Top
#1912625 - 04/08/14 03:42 PM Re: Caring for our parents Truffle Royale
Skittles Online
10K Club
Skittles
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 13,965
TN
Truff - can your phone become a speaker phone, too? Honestly - it really does help with their hearing and understanding.
_________________________
My Opinions Only

Return to Top
#1912632 - 04/08/14 03:51 PM Re: Caring for our parents Truffle Royale
Truffle Royale Offline

10K Club
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 17,410
Yes it can but Mom doesn't do well with remembering which button to hit on the phone or the remote. She's a wiz with her nook and tablet tho. Go figure!

Return to Top
#1912638 - 04/08/14 04:07 PM Re: Caring for our parents Truffle Royale
edAudit Offline
Power Poster
edAudit
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,797
You are here
Originally Posted By: Truffle Royale
Yes it can but Mom doesn't do well with remembering which button to hit on the phone or the remote. She's a wiz with her nook and tablet tho. Go figure!


Red nail polish
_________________________
Opinions can be considered as coming from anywhere but my employer.

CAMS


Return to Top
#1912645 - 04/08/14 04:44 PM Re: Caring for our parents Truffle Royale
Truffle Royale Offline

10K Club
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 17,410
We tried something like that. If she can't set it back to normal afterwards she gets all flustered. Having her home alone and flustered is not a good idea.
New theme song "let it go...let it go." smile

Return to Top
#1912649 - 04/08/14 04:53 PM Re: Caring for our parents Truffle Royale
Bankbb1, PITA Offline
Junior Member
Bankbb1, PITA
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 38
The Sovereign State Of Oklahom...
OK, just forget the fact that we ar all discussing this over thousands of miles (fairly miraculous in itself), but how many of us thought, when we were in our 20's, we would EVER be having such a discussion? Much less with people that many of us have never actually met in the flesh! Not to mention how helpful it would be to do so?!?!?!

Admittedly I get amazed by the oddest things. smile
_________________________
Run like the wind, but never forget gravity. wink

Return to Top
#1912668 - 04/08/14 05:19 PM Re: Caring for our parents Truffle Royale
Skittles Online
10K Club
Skittles
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 13,965
TN
Very true, BBB1.

Truffle - when my mother-in-law lived with us the remote to the television really blew her mind. My husband drew the remote - actual size - and used the diagram to show her which buttons to push to do various things. Could someone do that for your mother and the speaker phone? Just a thought? It did help in our house.
_________________________
My Opinions Only

Return to Top
#1912672 - 04/08/14 05:23 PM Re: Caring for our parents Truffle Royale
RR Joker Offline
10K Club
RR Joker
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 20,656
The Swamp
I remember well when I had to disappear all cordless phones from my mom. She would leave them on and lose them and you then could not reach her to check on her.

It's danged if you do and danged if you don't sometimes. It's like the cordless would be better if she fell and had it with her since she couldn't reach the corded phone. But by leaving it to go dead, it was absolutely worthless. cry
_________________________
My opinion only. Not legal advice.

Say you'll haunt me - Stone Sour

Return to Top
Page 2 of 25 1 2 3 4 24 25

Moderator:  Andy_Z, John Burnett