Mil spent the better part of Febuary in the hospital, while there she had several procedures, was moved from one floor to another. By the time she came home, she was totally confused, we could not convince her that she was in her own home, she wanted to go back to the home she and her H raised their chldren. I think she is suffering from the trauma of her hospital stay, nurses changing shifts, different people in and out of her room, being moved all over the hospital would have disoriented someone my age, not to mention hers.She then went throught the grieving process of loosing her Mother, who has been gone over 35 years. The past week she was in a light hearted mood, excercising her legs and telling us she had become a dancer, when I asked her if she wanted to visit the nursing home and dance for those who lived there, she said "NO"!, I am an entertainer, and I like to raise peoples eyebrows...OMGOSH, surely she did not think she was some type of nude dancer? She was trying to take her clothes off in the midst of this leg excercising stuff. Today, she slept late, when she woke up, she did not recognized the lady that stays with her, would not let the lady touch her to change her briefs, was combative and argumentative. She demanded to be put in the wheel chair and taken for a walk to find my H. When she saw him, she started crying this hysterical, painful, sad sad cry, asking for her H. She said she had traveled so far and when she got there he was gone, she was wracked with emotional pain, she thought he had gone off and left her. She was feeling lost and needing him so badly. After all of us tried to soothe her, to redirect, to calm her, nothing helped.We finally had to give her a xanax to calm her down. It took a while, as she was sitting in a chair I was pulling photos of her grandchildren out and showing them to her hoping to get her mind in another direction. When she saw her grandaughter, she screamed over and over, it was horrible, she said that the grandaughter was going to die and it went on from there. I think that is the last time we try to use photos, I am not going through seeing that fear in her face again, and trying to calm her down.She started telling my H that she was going to die, and he needed to know how much she loved him. Over and over again, he sweetly told her that if she must, then he understood, and that he knows she loves him.

She had a medication change yesterday, Zyprexa by night, and the doc added one for daytime. We spoke to hospice and decided to take that new daytime strength off until we can talk to the dr. on Monday. I am thinking that extra Zyprexa had something to do with this, maybe not.

Is this how it goes? Extreme highs, and extreme lows? Is it like a roller coaster? One or two great days, then a few days from hell??

After she has one of these episodes, she lays in the bed and is non responsive, will not look at us, or speak.

We have decided that this is the wickedness of alzheimers. So cruel, so painful.

This is the first time, I have broken down and cried.OH, I felt so badly that I was holding the picture that upset her, just a school photo of her now grown grandaughter, very sweet pretty girl. I would not hurt her that way.

Any ideas or support would be great! THanks!

Have a fantastic time!!!!!Gypsy

To all of my Luv's!!!

Mil is doing much better and I feel so comfortable to take my trip. I leave first thing Monday morning and will return later in the week. I am so excited I could jump up and down.

BC, I have spoken to the Hospice team and have explained my concerns, they are tying to get things better organized. I think we will request a Nurse change and see if that improves matters. Also, you and Mae have convinced me to buy the washable bed pads, thanks for the info.

I will be back upon my return from a much needed break, wish I could take you all along with me!!!!!!!!!!

BIG HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!

I hear you Blue, still about this Granddaughter, she will have to live with her decisions, I hope she can justify them.. I really do. It takes guts. As you know the elderly are not for the faint of heart.

If you change Hospice service, I hope you can let the first ones know why. Here, I think there is only one service. I don't know of any hospice houses except for certain illnesses like aids. Daddy was only involved for 2 weeks. We really didn't have a chance to find fault. 3 (almost 4) years ago when Mom was in the hospital for a long time, a nurse smuggled 3 of those washable reusable bed pads into Mom's things to take home. I will thank her everyday. LOL, she said to forget her name if I wanted to thank her and I did.

THanks for your replies girls. I thought this was a little off, for them to be asking us to come pick up supplies.

I am thinking about changing Hospice groups. I thought they were all about being there for the patients and needs. The one we used for FIl had everything delivered to the house. There was never an issue to get anything. This is stressing the ladies who care for her, and it is making me mad. I don't need to be mad about anything right now. Mad is a strong word, aggravated is a better one.

Every day the decline is so obvious. I am wondering why the most treasured grandaughter has not been for a visit. Right now, MIL might not even realize who she is, its just the idea of it all.

I am not going to be worrying about why she is not visible to her grandmother, the woman who made sure she had more than anything she could have ever wanted after her father died in a tragic accident. My MIl was never again the same person, but poured love, affections and money over this girl all of her life. One would think the favor might be returned. It is not for me to understand.

I love you all, and miss you while I am away.

We never used the chucks for hubby.Because of the bottom layer of material he would perspire and get sores.We bought cloth bed pads at the drugstore that were not that expensive and held up so nicely.Only time we used chucks was to put under certain areas when he was being bathed or meds put on as to not wet or soil the sheets.
What I have left I use under the cat litter box to catch the litter the cats throw out.

Honey Mae is absolutely right if this is in fact Hospice they bring the supplies they are trying to cut corners on you so call them and tell them in no uncertain terms you PAY for that privilege you DO NOT need to be driving anywhere to pick these supplies up how dare they!
Oh I am so sorry and PLEASE dont bring me those little puppy pads either Dang what the h*** was that about that couldnt cover a left cheek fercryinoutloud!
Oh yeah even I let Hospice have it on my last patient that is so unreasonable it got my knickers in a twist!
You can ask for most things like Peri Wash/body cleanser the no rinse type (I might add great for the hair too) moisturizers barrier creams you name it.
As for the swelling its all a part of the process sweetie keep them elevated and report it right away.
And dont worry at this point the ice wont hurt her but try not to leave it for so long it does help a little but best not to do it for a prolonged period of time.
Just make sure shes got enough pillows for her feet (make sure the heels hang off the pillow so as not to rub) and hands keep the nails short and if she is clenching her hands roll up washcloths and place them in her fists, keep pillows between her legs and make sure they are repositioning her every 2 hours unless she is in pain.
If at all possible call that office and tell them not to send the nurse that doesnt know how to communicate. You can ask for the one you feel most comfortable with it is your right Blue

BLB, becareful of the swelling of the hands.Next, their job is to bring those things to you.If they are on the clock and make a visit they get gas milage.You tell them to bring them to the house.I never had to get any of the supplies my hubby needed.They are getting paid quite well for the services they render to you.
Usually the nurse is the one who brings the supplies ot they have them sent to you.That was always my experienceSometimes you have to be a little assertive.
Also, you have to be very gareful about using ice on the elderly.Consult with the doctor about such.

Mil is almost bedridden except for the few times a week she is able to get out for a wheel chair ride.

Since the med mix up last week, she has a different look on her face, sleeps most of the time. When she is awake, she thinks she is playing with "the kids", she takes her oxygen tube and fashions a lasso out of it and pats it on her leg, over and over and over again, as if she were motorized. A person in thier right mind would get tired of it after a while and quit, she keeps going like the energizer bunny.

She has swelling in her hands, the boney area just below the wrist. It was strange, just started swelling out of the clear blue sky, now the other hand is doing the same thing. We keep ice on it, 20 min on, and 20 min. off. Her hands do look better, but they have to be kept laying on a pillow.

The PT was coming every week, but they stopped that service because every time he came she was asleep. When she was awake, her attitude towards him was not a nice one.

The Hospice team has some very nice nurses, we just happen to have one that does not seem to get the messages passed on by the supervisory nurse. She never brings enough chuks, briefs, wipes and whatever. When we start to run low, she wants us to come by the office and pick them up, the office is a good 20 minute drive, she does the same with med refills. Is this normal? Are they trying to get around the high price of gas? I will call them tomorrow, and speak to the boss lady nurse,and get a view of the big picture with them. Scuse my language about the boss lady nurse, but i am very tired and my brain is not functioning well.

Hope you all are doing good. thanks!!!!!

BG, "El cowboy central", you can saddle up at my barn anytime!!!

Hey now Blue baby Iv always wanted ta go to El cowboy central tell hunny boy to saddle a nice lil mare up Ill be right there
Glad to hear MIL is doin better keep the faith baby!

BC, I hope that you never have to experience the things that this family has endured with cg'rs. I wish that I had no idea what a cg was about, that no one had to watch thier loved ones deteriorate, and turn into people that we don't know.

My Mil is looking better and able to talk with us and understand what we are saying. She was joking with me this afternoon. She calls H her 'baby boy', all in fun. Right now, it looks as if she is feeling better and no signs of pneumonia coming on.

I also think that to have BG as a cg for Mother's Day would be an awesome gift!!! I would love to have someone like her in a heartbeat!!!!

I am so looking forward to next week, if she were able to understand, she would wish me a great time!

I love you all!!!!

Awww BC

Blue, I hope you are squeaking by and will get out with Your Mom and Sister as planned. If any newbies ask why you congratulate me that so far, I can say agency help has done no harm,,,, well,,, I will refer them to the "Anger Wall", I hope for Mother's Day to find an "East Coast BG" wrapped up as Mom's new CG. In the mean time, IF all goes well, credit will go to everyone here who has let me know so much about what I need to watch for, Thank you all,,, especially you, Blue, who have been so helpful in these matters.

Antime we read there has been a positive change for the afflicted we all feel the relief and joy.Why, been there and experience those times

That is very good to hear BC! I hope it stays that way, and it probably will.

hope you are doing good, big hugs!!!!!!!!!!

Glad to hear she is coming around and that she doesn't seem to be developing an infection. May be you will be able to take a break. I hope it goes according to plan. As far as the agency issues, I haven't had any that royally messed up in a way that would cause Mom harm, but I guess what is aggravating for me is that they really work for they agency, not me or Mom. There is plenty of work for them and they get changed around alot. No one yet has done anything dangerous or dishonest that I have detected.

BG and Mae, thanks for your supportive replies.

I have not talked to the agency, will do so promptly Monday morning. When I do call, I will be sure to tell them that this woman should not be taking care of a pet rock!!!!!

Mil is coming around, she has been up out of the bed today and is talking a little. The H nurse came this morning, she was wonderful, said Mil's chest sounds clear. The COPD is the problem.

I am so glad to hear that she does not have infection, I am planning a trip with my Mom and Sister in a week, and am praying that Mil stays well long enough for me to get some R&R.

Love that H nurse, she is a sweety!!!

Love my buds here too!!!!!!!!

BWB,so sorry to hear this.Some people did not listen when they were asked if they want brains and thought they were offered trains and refused.
I dealt with those who gave my hubby too much meds for behavior but his behavior was fine.Then they would say he was non responsive.Dah!Does not take too much smarts to understand why.But I had to tell them.Should have payed me for consultant fee.
I hope you reported this error to the gals supervisor.
Please keep us informed

quote:

Substitute cg will not be called again.

Oh Blue I am so sorry trust me when I tell you Iv met a few airheads so far.....makes you wonder what the hell their thinkin!
In the short time workin for this agency Iv heard some real hum dingers comin outta some of these peoples mouth's....whats that sayin of MB's? Somethin along the lines of they shouldnt be carin for a person let alone a pet rock correct me my dear I know thats wrong but doesnt it sound good?

Blue how is MIL now???
Update when you get a chance
Hugs n love goin out to you