I talk to Nana every morning and, on most days, she's in good spirits. Jan and I visit in person every 4-6 weeks. She enjoys our visits and likes the treats we bring - KitKats, M&M's and Frosted Sugar Cookies. In addition to our visits, Sharon visits or calls most days, Bill stops in to see her, and Missi comes also. Missi even brought Wayne one time. Lori and Nate and Ollie and Sid visit as often as they can and she really loves seeing them. Plus, Lori calls and chats with Nana frequently. People from the church bring Nana church bulletins and cookies. In addition to family and church, we have Nana's care-giver Cindy check on her almost every day. Cindy is a treasure and we consider her one of the family. She loves and knows Nana so well and also understands nursing homes so her help and insight is invaluable. Nana's fortunate as there's a lot of residents there who don't get many visitors.
Nana loves her daily newspapers. We subscribe to the Sun Gazette, the Standard Journal and The Luminary for her. Nana is a thorough reader of news and that's the highlight of her day. She also gets Country Magazine and the Readers Digest. I'm so grateful that she can still read and enjoys it so much. She does still watch her game shows but doesn't seem as laser focused on them as when she was in her apartment.
Nana has some dementia so sometimes she harkens back to things she's done in the past, like going to the Weis store, as if they were in the present. As long as she's happy, it's not important to correct her memory.
As I mentioned in my previous post, Nana has a sweet roommate named Ruth. It was a bit rocky at first for Nana to accept someone in her room, but now I think she enjoys the company. Although neither of them hear very well, they still manage to communicate. Ruth gets the Daily Item every day and also loves to read books. She doesn't have a TV and it doesn't seem to bother her, although she can see Nana's when it's on. Nana always wants us to share her treats with 'her roommate' and we bring Ruth treats and books when we visit. I'm grateful for Ruth, not only because she's such a nice lady, but because she walks. When Nana can't reach the phone, she gives it to her. I don't know if she hears the ringer or if she sees the red light, but it helps me so I can talk to Nana everyday.
Nana doesn't walk or use her walker, but she propels herself with her feet in her wheelchair. I can't believe how fast she goes down the hall! It's good exercise and the staff encourages her to go on her own. Most days, she goes upstairs to the Main Dining Room for her meals. That means going down the hall, on the elevator, and down another hall. I have noticed she's not too patient with any slow pokes in her way!
This spring, Nana was sick with a respiratory infection, had to be isolated and was on strong medications for 10 days. She didn't do well and I was afraid she couldn't survive it, especially since the nursing home lost a number of residents during that time to illness. But she's tough and fought her way back to health. Now, in two and a half months, Nana will turn 96! She's truly amazing!
During our last visit together, Nana looked at the Classified Section of the newspaper and said, "I don't need a job." I replied, "You're right, Nana, you've worked hard enough in your life." Her response was, "My job everyday now is to stay alive."
The coolest thing is that she didn't say it in a morbid way, just a matter-of-fact statement - a task she has to do.
Yes, Nana, we want you to stay alive and be happy and healthy every day that we are blessed to have you with us!.
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| Nana with Pip the Beach Cat June 15, 2019 |
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| Nana with her newspaper June 16, 2019 |
