This is the second time that she has lived with us, the
first being a period of 6 years. As you
will read in previous posts, she chose to move to a facility in 2010. For
several months, she lived on the “independent” side. Then, in August 2011, she fell and struck her
head on the railing, requiring 10 stitches and sustaining a nasty
concussion. Her dementia was already
beginning to progress; however, this significantly affected cognition. We were relieved to learn that there was one
apartment available in the Memory Care portion of the facility, and we quickly
signed on the dotted line.
Unfortunately, my mom did not do well in the Memory Care
unit. From August 2011 until January 9,
2012, my little mama lost from 96 pounds down to 84 pounds. On January 9th, she fell
again. Fortunately, she wasn’t injured;
however, she was very weak per the Memory Care director and required medical
attention. When I took her to the doctor
in the afternoon, I learned the source of her weakness. Dehydration.
Her diastolic pressure, normal being 80, was 44. This was after she had had a meal (where I
spoon fed her) and hydration. Until
then, I had assumed that her decline was due to the dementia. It was heartbreaking to watch; but I thought
it was just something that we had to endure.
My little mama has been with us since January 9, 2012. I felt that to return her to that unit would
be signing her death warrant. Today is
April 16, 2013. She is now a healthy 105
lbs.
Since she moved back in with us, I have kept a diary of her
progress. I will be adding these diary
entries as time permits. I hope you
enjoy!
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