For instance on our visit on Friday, May 16, Dad was seated in the main dining room where many of the residents were participating in various activities designed for engagement. And there was Dad, sitting in his chair, fast asleep ("I'll show them..."). In fact most of the residents sitting on the side of the room Dad was in were all asleep, while on the other side, the group was wide awake and participating in the activity.
The staff member leading the activity was having the group spell out words with a Hawaiian theme. She asked the group to spell coconut, then to spell Honolulu, then luau. One resident yelled out, L U "OW." The group laughed, Dad did not. We encourage Dad to participate but we got "the look" instead.
Here are three photos taken during the activity. Note "the look" on Dad's face:
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| "I don't want to be here." |
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| "Good, he's leaving." |
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| "I want to go back to sleep!" |
The State of Dad's Condition
Our visit on May 16 was after we had meet with Sherry, one of the staff's directors, to review Dad's overall condition since our last "care" meeting. Sherry told us that Dad is up most days, he is eating in the dining room more, instead of his room, and likes to have his back rubbed. He is eating well and maintaining a weight of 137 lbs.
Even though Dad was in a bad mood that Friday by Sunday, when I visited him again, he was in a much better mood. He was able to speak briefly with his daughter, Joyce, in San Antonio, while I held my cell phone for him.
The "Oh Boy" Phone Call
On another visit back on April 18, Dad spoke with his son Bruce, who lives in Southern California. During that call the phrase, "Oh Boy" seemed lead every comment each of us made or was part of a response to a question. Between the three of us, we probably uttered "oh boy" at least eight times!
That's all for this update; thanks for reading!
