Maybe we could share some ideas for little helps. Here are a few that help us: 1) Avery No-iron Writable clothing labels (Amazon) they press on easy and are non irritating, 2) single serve flavored coffee creamer mom can carry to the dining room 3) having certain necessities like disposable undergarments delivered right to the AL so mom never runs out 4) making sure mom gets plenty of mail (friends and family have been great to remember).
Fresh flowers, a visit from animals or youth, regular assisted phone calls to friends and relatives. A fresh lipstick or favorite lotion or perfume. A hamburger or malt from a favorite Resturant. A new blouse or shirt. A haircut or new do. Music of a particular era. Hugs and kisses. A nice long visit. A pedicure. A manicure. So many things come to mind.
A simple hello and how are you? means the world to me. Getting someone's favorite coffee or taking them out for a favorite meal.
Two years ago when I was a youth of 87, my child bride who was 85 at the time, and I went to a local pub to get some ribs. I never got in the door. As I was about to walk in, I suddenly fell on my face which I hit on the door sill. It bled considerably, and somebody called 911. The paramedics seeing my location, seemed more interested in whether I was drunk than whether I was injured. Eventually I was taken to the hospital and received a few stitches and was released.
That was two years ago. Yesterday, I suddenly realized that I was again set up to take the same type of fall. The “set up” was my cane.
Two years ago after I was released from the hospital, I got into my car and noticed that the rubber tip that had been on the end of my came was on the floor of the car. It was then that I suddenly realized why I had fallen. Without the rubber tip on the cane, it has almost no friction at all on hard surfaces like marble, tile or concrete and when I put my weight on the cane it just slid out from under me. Of course I glued it back on and had no further problem with it until yesterday when somehow the rubber tip came off again. This time I glued it back on before anything else happened. I would share this bit of “knowledge learned the hard way”the with other cane users who might not paying attention to the condition at the other end of the cane.
Bulletin board to help display
McDonalds ice cream sundae or milkshake while you sit and visit
Small treats (candies, caramels)
A nice walk with loved one; stopping to smell the flowers or encourage them to touch flowers, leaves
IPAD with old pictures to share and discuss
IPAD facetime or skype with far away loved ones
Having lunch or dinner with loved one at the dining room with other residents
Say hello and small talk with the aides and other staff members who take care of him.
I always have treats for dad in his room.
Get to know some of the other residents too.
Always visit with a smile on your face.
A handful of old black and white photos to look though.
Our high school year book (Class of 1954. Classmates and sweethearts we were.)
Once in awhile our wedding photo album (black and white photos of course.)
Her old Betty Crocker cookbook and we'd look at and talk about some of her favorite recipes.
Supermarket advertising flyer...I'd have her help me make up a shopping list of bargains..
I'd say I wanted to bake a cake and tell her ingredients: butter, yes. Flour, yes. vanilla flavoring, yes. cup of sugar, yes. etc., etc., then I'd say
CUP of salt, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!. Fun....
Country home type magazines and page through them.
Vacation advertising flyers and I'd say, "Let's plan a vacation for when you get better and you get to get out of this joint and have some fun." (She was paralyzed, could not speak, dizzy at all times, but very alert...We both knew that she would never be "better" but when we talked like that she would get "out of her sick bed." That was my source of joy and my motivation.)
I did that stuff and more because I prayed to have a servant's heart and God answered me..I also did it because she was my sweetheart.
Grace + Peace,
Bob
Daily newspaper subscription
Magazine subscriptions (People, Time, Discover)
and it's a 2-way win-win!!
Just a note on the cane repair.
My aunt uses a cane. One day I noticed it was making a noise on the sidewalk. A click of metal on metal type sound. The rubber tip was on the cane. When we got home I looked at the bottom of the cane. The rubber was worn through. I would have never noticed that today because she seldom goes outdoors and has soft flooring that wouldn’t click. So your post is a good reminder to check the rubber on the bottom of the cane as well.
I was amazed at how many steps she must have taken to wear that rubber away.
routine and will get to her when it is her turn. Someone told me
that the definition of incontinent means they cannot get to the bathroom without help. So the diaper is the solution for the facility.
include other friends and family.
Also it was time to retire Dad's cane and I got him one of those rolling walkers, bright blue color, it had hand brakes, a seat, and a basket.. My gosh, you'd think I had bought him a Shelby Mustang !!! He rolled that walker all over the place.
1. gloves; 2. hygiene wipes; 3. change of clothes; 4. disposable underwear; 5. certainly have the seat covered in case of accident(s) and then have a back-up replacement.
IN-HOUSE: I bring my client flowers often as this is one of the small, yet important pleasures she can still enjoy while sitting alone, facing a wall eating (she has her apt set up this way-which can't be changed. If up to me, I'd have her facing "looking out the window." She STUDIES the flowers. Is a real joy to her. Gena