Went to Chancellor today, and signed all the papers, etc. We were there over 2 hours - talking, signing papers, and checking out dad's room.
We will take dad on Monday at 10:30. This will give him a chance to eat lunch, hang out for the afternoon activities, and eat dinner. Depending on how he does, we may or may not get to visit that night. It might be good for maybe one or two of us to go back, but we have to play it by ear. When we do go see him, if he starts to ask to come home, or gets agitated, that is a sign that we need cut our visit short. We will move everything in Sat and Sun. We can put up his plane pictures on his side of the room, and even hang his planes form the ceiling. Dad may like having a roommate, or he may want to be in a private when his roommate passes on. (See below). His level of personal care has increased since the assessment in January, so the decision about a private vs. shared, may need to be discussed, as his need of additional care has jumped from $800 to $1100 per month, after the insurance kicks in. (90 days). We will have to wait and see.
His room is at the furthest end of the building, by the freeway. This is good, because dad likes to walk. You can't hear the cars at all. His room faces south, and he can look out and see the mountains, the freeway, and the flower boxes he will be able to plant stuff in this Spring. He will also be able to check the time and temperature on the hospital sign, if he stands there long enough, and can read it. His roommate is named Rick, and he is in his late 50's - early onset of Alz. He has some additional conditions, so they don't expect him to be around much longer. We didn't meet him, but didn't wave at him across the room. (They also have a woman who is 52, with early onset. She was taking a walk, and she looks 80. Very advanced, very sad. There are worse things than what we are going through!)
They suggest not taking dad out anywhere for the first month, which makes sense. We can go visit him any time, day or night. We can also call and check on him any time we want. They will take over all the renewing of his meds, and when he has a dr appointment, they will take him and mom can meet them there, then take him back. That will be nice for mom.
Part of the paperwork was to list all kids, brothers/sisters, hobbies. What makes dad laugh, what makes him sad. (I put burps for making him laugh, nothing for sad - he doesn't get sad.) It was fun to go through that, because it made stop and think about his hobbies, and how much he enjoyed fishing, planes, cars, camping, anything outside.
Dad was having a good day today. Makes it harder, because he was such a sweetie. When I walked in, he said, "Hi, daughter." He hasn't recognized me in months. He was joking around, and pretending to be feeble and not being able to walk. Then, he would smile and chuckle. Lisa was just getting him in the shower when we left. When we returned, he was playing the organ. HE HASN'T PLAYED IN MONTHS! He was stumbling around on the keys, but you could still pick out some sort of melody. Guess after lunch, dad asked where his "honey" was. Lisa told him out doing errands, and he grabbed his shoes to go look for her. On the way out the door, he was distracted by the organ. When Lisa asked him if he played, he told her no. Then told her maybe, then started playing. I notice that when he is around other people, he is more stimulated. I think being around other people and activities at the place will be good for him.
I lost it a couple of times today - couldn't help it. This was a big WHAM today, and we have the final WHAM on Monday. That won't be easy to leave Our Pop there, but we all know it's the best thing for both of them. Gonna be hard, though, not gonna lie. I kissed his head when I left today, told him I would see him on Saturday. He was half asleep and mumbled something. I couldn't stop crying when I left, and still have my moments this afternoon. It was an emotional day, but good to get everything done, etc.
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