You just never know what might trigger something in the mind
of someone with dementia. Recently, one
of the aides (CNAs) in Mom’s ALF decided to move to Florida and go to
school. This CNA, Whitney, was an
integral part of the staff so the decision caused quite a stir.
One day when I was visiting, Mom told me that she would be
leaving for Florida soon because “they” wanted to try it out down there for
awhile. Grandma and Grandpa moved to
Florida with her when she was little to try and make a life there. They found they didn’t like it so they moved
back. I thought that she was just
flashing back to that time of her life so didn’t think anything of it. I just asked if she was going with Grandma
and Grandpa and she looked a little confused and responded, “I guess so.”
It wasn’t until later that I learned about Whitney’s move
and, of course, there had been some discussion of it. Mom obviously overheard and thought that “they”,
probably Tina, Whitney and Mom, were heading to Florida to “try it out”.
Since then, Whitney left and the residents have been
enduring the process of finding the new CNA that will fit into the “family”
there. In the past, if Mom’s CNA, Tina,
was off, quite often Whitney was working and took care of Mom. Now if Tina is not there, there is no Whitney
to cover and I have found reasons to be concerned about Mom’s care.
I have raised my concerns with management and they have
asked for patience while they work out the staffing plan. I can only hope that they will find a
solution that will again make me feel that the Mom is well cared for when Tina
is not there.
The good news is Mom is still happy. I find her confused more often but in spite
of that she still seems content.
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| Mom's awake and ready to play noodle ball! |
