On Wednesday, L and I went to Como to visit with her brothers (We try to do this about once a month) and I did not visit Mom. I talked by phone with a staff person who reported no problems on the daily report and she had been down to breakfast.
On Thursday, I went after lunch. She was sleepy. I gave her a letter from Jean and a birthday card and package from Dwanda. She was barely able to read the mail even when I kept her awake. She seemed to be reading, but I was not convinced that she was actually reading, or if she understood what she was reading. She had little to say even when I asked about her birthday and told her who was there, etc. She did not verbally indicate that she remembered any of it.
Today, I went over and had the pictures from her birthday on my camera to show her. I waited to give her time to wake up a bit. When I asked if she wanted to see them, I got no verbal response and decided to show them to her anyway. She did go to sleep from time to time, and even when she was awake, gave no verbal response to the pictures or repeated questions such as: Who is this? Do you recognize anyone in this picture. So eventually, I would tell her who they were. She did give a half smile from time to time which showed me that she was recognizing some people. I tried zooming in to make the pictures clearer for her without much different response until I showed her a close-up of her and asked if she knew who that was. She said, “I don’t think I’ll claim that one.” I don’t remember any other verbal responses. She did not appear to be in pain or uncomfortable. It’s more like she may have been responding mentally without being aware that she did not actually say it. She had been down to breakfast, but I did not get a report on how much she ate. Sleeping seems to be her most comfortable activity.
She has been sleeping through the phone ringing when I’ve called and I assume that is true for others as well. That must be tough for my siblings who live far away and for whom the phone is their only direct link to her. I suggest that they continue to call and leave a message. That way I can play the message for her and she will get to hear your voice. Otherwise, a call to me or directly to Sunrise asking to speak to Mom’s care manager will get you a report.
Tags: Family