Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Music for Dad?
Hi all...did anyone happen to hear the story today on NPR about music for patients with dementia? Does anyone know what kind of music Dad likes? I don't really remember him listening much to music, though I guess he did like to dance. If you give me some suggestions, I will try to put it on an ipod and see how he reacts.
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Dance with Dad
I went by for a visit with Dad today...for the first time in several visits he was more awake this time. I got a nice smile and bright eyes when I arrived. He was mumbling a bit, and seeming to have a hard time hearing, but was definitely giving me a lot of eye contact and pleasant responses. I helped feed him some thickened apple juice and he enjoyed it, opening his mouth wide for every bite. Anna said he continues to be a good eater. In general, he's having some very weak days of lots of sleeping and staring at the ceiling, but also will have alert days as well.
He got on to something about "dancing," pointing me to Anna or the guy on the TV set, saying "dance with him." He was in his recliner...eventually I moved to his other side and asked him if he wanted to dance. I grabbed his arm and started dancing with him (as he was seated, so it was mostly just "arm dancing" that we were doing.) I was doing twirls and humming music and moving my feet...he really seemed to enjoy it. When I stopped after a bit, he was moving his arms like he wanted to do more, so we did it some more. His arms were strong and he was holding me firmly when I would do a "dip" and a few times I would come in for a peck kiss, and he kissed me back! We enjoyed it for quite a while...very nice!!
He got on to something about "dancing," pointing me to Anna or the guy on the TV set, saying "dance with him." He was in his recliner...eventually I moved to his other side and asked him if he wanted to dance. I grabbed his arm and started dancing with him (as he was seated, so it was mostly just "arm dancing" that we were doing.) I was doing twirls and humming music and moving my feet...he really seemed to enjoy it. When I stopped after a bit, he was moving his arms like he wanted to do more, so we did it some more. His arms were strong and he was holding me firmly when I would do a "dip" and a few times I would come in for a peck kiss, and he kissed me back! We enjoyed it for quite a while...very nice!!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Bingo Day
Just got back from a visit with Dad. It was Bingo time at the house so he and a couple of the other housemates were sitting around the table getting ready to play with Janice, one of the administrators leading the game. Dad was sitting with his eyes closed, and stayed that way for the most part of my visit. I did get him to open his eyes to look at me and have some eye contact, but not much. He's a little more responsive to Anna. She was feeding him some chocolate "thicket" milk with a spoon and he was consistently opening his mouth for each spoonful he was presented (seems to do it with his eyes closed.) Anna said he does this for most meals, though he appears to have lost weight from the last time I saw him (could feel his spine through his back). Anna said that he had definitely lost weight...the hospice group, which had been considering taking him off, told Anna because of the weight loss (measured by his arm circumference) they would keep him on for another 2 months and then re-assess again. I haven't received any phone calls from the hospice nurse since the last time that Justine and I met with her in October.
Janice told me that Dad was surprisingly very alert last Wednesday, and vocalizing a bit. Anna reports that mostly Dad is sleeping or sleepy, but does have occasional "agitation" days where he is more alert, up all day (and into the night)...though unlike before, he really can't get up on his own, so hopefully is safe from any falls in that scenario.
When Dad is sitting like he does, with his eyes closed, it does appear to me that he is still hearing what's going on for the most part, and knew I was there (when Anna said 'it's your daughter, Barbara, he nodded)...in some ways it seems he is choosing to shut it out. At one point during the Bingo game he was focused on wanting to pull the card up off the table (it was taped down with scotch tape.)
Janice told me that Dad was surprisingly very alert last Wednesday, and vocalizing a bit. Anna reports that mostly Dad is sleeping or sleepy, but does have occasional "agitation" days where he is more alert, up all day (and into the night)...though unlike before, he really can't get up on his own, so hopefully is safe from any falls in that scenario.
When Dad is sitting like he does, with his eyes closed, it does appear to me that he is still hearing what's going on for the most part, and knew I was there (when Anna said 'it's your daughter, Barbara, he nodded)...in some ways it seems he is choosing to shut it out. At one point during the Bingo game he was focused on wanting to pull the card up off the table (it was taped down with scotch tape.)
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Today
I stopped by to see Dad today. At first, he wouldn't open his eyes or respond to me. It took Anna prompting him to finally get him to open his eyes. He looked like he wanted to form some words, but didn't do so, though I got a really nice big smile. Haydee was there today and said she couldn't get him to walk. They both reported that he continues to eat well, most of the time needing to be fed, not doing it himself. It sort of seems like he has lost a lot of his "muscle memory" where by he no longer seems to have the coordination to do some of the movements that he used to do, or does them, but shows a lack of coordination in doing so. For example, to smile, his face was contorting somewhat.
Anna mentioned that Dad periodically goes into the eyes closed routine perhaps intentionally, when the chaplin is there, for example. But then will peek one eye out when they're gone!
I haven't heard from the hospice group in awhile. I'm guessing he'll be up for an evaluation with the doctor sometime soon. Last doctor visit was June, though nurse comes weekly.
Anna mentioned that Dad periodically goes into the eyes closed routine perhaps intentionally, when the chaplin is there, for example. But then will peek one eye out when they're gone!
I haven't heard from the hospice group in awhile. I'm guessing he'll be up for an evaluation with the doctor sometime soon. Last doctor visit was June, though nurse comes weekly.
Friday, September 23, 2011
This week
Had a visit with Dad this past Wednesday, as well as a couple of weeks ago. I had heard from Johanna, the hospice nurse that Dad was showing "stiffness" when the caregivers were doing transitions. She thought perhaps he might benefit from a drug "baclofen" and was going to call me back to discuss that option. I haven't heard back from her yet, but when I was there on Wednesday, Anna and Al said he wasn't doing it quite so much lately as he had been. While I was there, Dad was being fed lunch, but he did look up at me with wide eyes to respond to my greeting and spoke a few words coherently. He looked good.
Haydee has been reporting that somedays Dad doesn't want to do much, but on others he is alert and still walks. When she was there yesterday, he was feeding himself and did walk.
I guess there's a chance that Dad might "graduate" from hospice if he continues to remain stable. I think his next assessment will be in November.
Haydee has been reporting that somedays Dad doesn't want to do much, but on others he is alert and still walks. When she was there yesterday, he was feeding himself and did walk.
I guess there's a chance that Dad might "graduate" from hospice if he continues to remain stable. I think his next assessment will be in November.
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
Visit with Dad
Barbara, Faye, Russ and I visited Dad on Saturday, August 6. I had previously seen him in June 2 or 3 times with Justine, Cora and then Chip while visiting Barb. In June, he was not opening his eyes much or talking, though he did appreciate the visit, held our hands, etc. They said at the time they were having to feed him though he was still a good eater, but he wasn't walking much. We also had a priest visit and give him the Sacrament of Anointing which he also seemed to enjoy.
On this visit, he was on a lounge chair and gave a big smile when we said hello to him. When Russ said hello, he said something like, "I busted you in the nose," and then that set the theme for the rest of the visit, as no matter what we asked or said, it came back to him busting somebody's nose, or his getting busted, or him busting two noses, etc. It was pretty funny, and he had his eyes open the whole time, and it was enjoyable. We heard that unlike a month or two ago, he was walking a bit, but it is getting very difficult to get him up and even also to sit back down, as he arches his back instead of bending forward. He is still eating, but I believe they feed him more than him doing it himself. The hospice nurse follows his weight by measuring his arm, and he has lost some. But I thought he looked pretty good, not underweight. He had a recent haircut from Haydee.
I am really impressed more and more with the great care he seems to be getting. We were looking at his feet, and I noticed how soft and smooth his legs were, it was clear lotion was being put on after bathing, for instance. I like it that I see the same caregivers each time I visit.
On this visit, he was on a lounge chair and gave a big smile when we said hello to him. When Russ said hello, he said something like, "I busted you in the nose," and then that set the theme for the rest of the visit, as no matter what we asked or said, it came back to him busting somebody's nose, or his getting busted, or him busting two noses, etc. It was pretty funny, and he had his eyes open the whole time, and it was enjoyable. We heard that unlike a month or two ago, he was walking a bit, but it is getting very difficult to get him up and even also to sit back down, as he arches his back instead of bending forward. He is still eating, but I believe they feed him more than him doing it himself. The hospice nurse follows his weight by measuring his arm, and he has lost some. But I thought he looked pretty good, not underweight. He had a recent haircut from Haydee.
I am really impressed more and more with the great care he seems to be getting. We were looking at his feet, and I noticed how soft and smooth his legs were, it was clear lotion was being put on after bathing, for instance. I like it that I see the same caregivers each time I visit.
Friday, March 04, 2011
Update on Dad's condition
Dad went to see the doctor this past Tuesday as he continued with some coughing and wheezing (though still no distress.) His regular physician (Dr. Gee) wasn't there that day. Dr. Annable had prescribed an anti-biotic and also took x-rays.
Yesterday I got a call from the administrator, Chris, at Emerald Isle who said the caregivers were reporting Dad wasn't getting better and had been wheezing a lot in the morning. Chris contacted the doctor's office, hoping they might call in a prescription, but Dr. Gee, who was there that day, said Dad would need to be seen by him first to re-assess. I took him in for a 4:15 appt. Upon getting him in my van, with help from the caregivers, I did see the wheezing they had been observing. I could definitely hear that his airways seemed a little constricted, but again, he didn't seem too distressed by it. Within a few minutes, the wheezing had stopped and he seemed relax and comfortable. When we were sitting in the waiting room, Dad saw an overweight woman get up who was called to go in and Dad said clearly "She seems pretty heavy walking over there."
When the doctor arrived, he talked about Dad's xrays which did indicate some fluid in his right lung. We discussed the possibility of Dad having aspirated while drinking. Caregivers have said that Dad often coughs when/after drinking. They feel his eating/swallowing of food is fine, but he seems to have more difficulty drinking.
The doctor mentioned that they can run these kinds of swallow tests in the hospital. I told the doctor that if a hospital visit is not essential, I feel it is better for Dad---the experience of Dad in the hospital last year---how agitated, confused, uncomfortable being poked, prodded, moved, etc I personally feel is something to avoid if not necessary. I welcome discussion from others on this matter. The doctor obviously didn't feel it was critical..he prescribed a stronger anti-biotic as well as a diuretic which presumably helps get the fluid out of his lungs. Note that Dad's oxygen level was good (96%), and his BP was fine. The doctor also said he would order a home/health evaluation for speech/occupational therapy to review the drinking/feeding issue. He said that if Dad is having problems, a feeding tube might at some point be recommended. I think this is another discussion we would need to have should we face that decision.
The doctor also brought up the congestive heart condition that was discovered when he was in the hospital last year for his hip break, which may somehow contribute to the fluid in the lung. I should have asked more questions as the connection and the condition are not fully clear to me, but I will try to get more answers at his follow up, which is scheduled on March 17th.
AFter the appointment, I had to call a taxi (the same guy who picks up Dylan in his taxi/van for school) to take Dad home, as it was going to be too difficult for me to get him in my van by myself. I picked up the prescriptions and took everything over to the house. By the time I was there, Dad was happily finishing up his dinner at the table.
Paul and I stopped by today around 11am to see Dad. Anna reported that Dad had not been wheezing all morning. Dad gave Paul a big smile when he saw him. Hopefully he will continue to improve over the weekend.
Yesterday I got a call from the administrator, Chris, at Emerald Isle who said the caregivers were reporting Dad wasn't getting better and had been wheezing a lot in the morning. Chris contacted the doctor's office, hoping they might call in a prescription, but Dr. Gee, who was there that day, said Dad would need to be seen by him first to re-assess. I took him in for a 4:15 appt. Upon getting him in my van, with help from the caregivers, I did see the wheezing they had been observing. I could definitely hear that his airways seemed a little constricted, but again, he didn't seem too distressed by it. Within a few minutes, the wheezing had stopped and he seemed relax and comfortable. When we were sitting in the waiting room, Dad saw an overweight woman get up who was called to go in and Dad said clearly "She seems pretty heavy walking over there."
When the doctor arrived, he talked about Dad's xrays which did indicate some fluid in his right lung. We discussed the possibility of Dad having aspirated while drinking. Caregivers have said that Dad often coughs when/after drinking. They feel his eating/swallowing of food is fine, but he seems to have more difficulty drinking.
The doctor mentioned that they can run these kinds of swallow tests in the hospital. I told the doctor that if a hospital visit is not essential, I feel it is better for Dad---the experience of Dad in the hospital last year---how agitated, confused, uncomfortable being poked, prodded, moved, etc I personally feel is something to avoid if not necessary. I welcome discussion from others on this matter. The doctor obviously didn't feel it was critical..he prescribed a stronger anti-biotic as well as a diuretic which presumably helps get the fluid out of his lungs. Note that Dad's oxygen level was good (96%), and his BP was fine. The doctor also said he would order a home/health evaluation for speech/occupational therapy to review the drinking/feeding issue. He said that if Dad is having problems, a feeding tube might at some point be recommended. I think this is another discussion we would need to have should we face that decision.
The doctor also brought up the congestive heart condition that was discovered when he was in the hospital last year for his hip break, which may somehow contribute to the fluid in the lung. I should have asked more questions as the connection and the condition are not fully clear to me, but I will try to get more answers at his follow up, which is scheduled on March 17th.
AFter the appointment, I had to call a taxi (the same guy who picks up Dylan in his taxi/van for school) to take Dad home, as it was going to be too difficult for me to get him in my van by myself. I picked up the prescriptions and took everything over to the house. By the time I was there, Dad was happily finishing up his dinner at the table.
Paul and I stopped by today around 11am to see Dad. Anna reported that Dad had not been wheezing all morning. Dad gave Paul a big smile when he saw him. Hopefully he will continue to improve over the weekend.
