Transition

Monday, the 30th. We had had a nice weekend and everything seemed to go fine. About 2:30 we got a phone call from the Daycare. They told me that Dad was rattling the fence, reciting his marriage vows and telling everyone that he was going to climb the fence and walk to the hospital to see his wife! After determining that he needed to get his meds adjusted, "K" picked him up and we scheduled an appointment with the doctor.

Today was also the day that Ma was being transferred to the nursing home. We didn't get home till way after 8 from the clinic, and soon Dad was fast asleep with his new meds.

Today (Tuesday), the nurse at the Daycare decided to track him minute by minute, to prevent a repeat of yesterday's episode. Today he did fine. I called several times during the day, ready to dash downtown with some extra medication, should he need it.

I had a meeting with someone from the local Alzheimer's Association. It was very informative, and realized we had a lot to learn of this awful disease. I found out a few things: Never say No. Don't argue. Redirect.

A bit later I decided to call the nursing home to check on Ma to make sure she was doing OK. The nurse on duty informed me that she was very "sweet, very nice, and that she was watching TV in the Activity Room." Everyone seemed to be settling in to their new routines. No sooner had I thought that, when I received a phone call from a nurse at the nursing home. She told me that Ma requested to speak with "K." So I called him and gave him the number.

Later on he explained to me that they were trying to get a reaction out of her to see how she would respond by talking to one of the family members. The minute she got him on the phone, she began to whine for Dad and that she wanted to see him, etc. etc. Finally the nurse got back on the phone and explained this to K. She was "under no circumstances" see OR talk to Dad on the phone until they deemed she was ready. This may just be the hardest transition for both of them. But, I am confident, that after a few weeks or so, things will settle down. Let's hope so.