Mother's Doing Well

mother at comfort care 1, originally uploaded by crimlawdoc.

I haven't provided an update about my mother's situation in a while, probably because things are going smoothly, now! After quite a difficult 3 or 4 months, including 3 different hospitals, a nursing home, and an unsuccessful trial at having Mother back in her home with full-time in-home care... finally she is at a very good place. It's a small group home setting called Comfort Care Homes. There are only 5 patients (all with Alzheimer's) who live in a large house, with excellent staff who can handle medication, assistance with dressing, laundry, cooking... and just being there for someone to talk to. The front door is kept locked, but there is a large and very nice back yard that is open and available any time for walking outside, or just sitting in the sun.

The difference between this place and a nursing home is dramatic. It's also very different from the larger corporate "memory care" facilities, where the amenities are beautiful, but the care is very spotty... and can be tragically inadequate.

Mother is doing very well there. Here's a picture of her, taken at a party they held at her new home, a couple of weeks ago. I haven't seen her smile like that.... in years!