My parents have adjusted well to being in Assisted Living. On my last visit, I told my parents I would not see them over the weekend because my son was running in a state track meet a few hours away. My mom made a note that I was leaving town on her calendar.
When I returned to visit after the meet, my mom asks how our son did at the track meet. I’m surprised and pleased that she remembered this. She had only noted I was out-of-town, not that my son was running in a track meet. Most of the time her facts are so jumbled, I second guess reality. Today, my mom is crystal clear and interested to know how our son did. I was pleased to report he did well and just happy to be able to have a real conversation with my mom.
While I was visiting, I stopped by the medical office to drop off some records. The care manager tells me my mom visited and requested an appointment with the psychologist. My mom told the care manager she is afraid that something is wrong with her brain and wants to get it checked.
Over the past year, my mom has been with no less than 4 doctor’s who have diagnosed dementia. I wonder if she was so wired to resist and fight, she was unable to really understand or accept the information. I have discussed these visits previously in I only saw the doctor to discuss your father; Can we see your daughter alone; Can the geriatrician help move our parent’s forward; and How many times can you hear you have dementia?
Simplifying their lives has made quite a change in my mom. Calmed.
I understand.
This is precisely what I’ve learned from working with adults after traumatic brain injuries and strokes. A structured environment with less stimulation and less moving around, plus a structured routine, do help free up cognitive reserves for other things, such as memory and managing activities of daily living. So glad to hear that this move has been such a positive experience.all around.