Shoes Tell a Story (Part 1)

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Sensible Shoes

Mom started using a walker during the first year in Arizona. The community where she and Dad lived had an expansive campus and it became too much to walk unassisted outside of their apartment. By the end of the day it was evident that the signal from Mom’s brain to her legs was misfiring. This resulted in an awkward turnout of her legs with bent knees, making it impossible to continue walking or even stand up straight. Likely both brain and legs were exhausted by then. Read more

Puppies

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The Errand

I couldn’t control much about Mom’s condition, so when there was something I could do, I really got into the assignment. My sister Lori, who works with the elderly, told me that memory care facilities often have therapeutic stuffed animals or baby dolls available for their residents. It’s not just about having an object to cuddle or to occupy their hands. The dolls and stuffed toys are considered “therapeutic” because they are a way to soothe, reduce agitation, and bring comfort. While medication is often needed in the treatment of dementia, there are non-drug approaches such as these that can be integrated as well. Read more

Each Name

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(Time Period: Shortly after moving Mom into the care home.)

At any one time in my mother’s group home, there were ten elderly residents. During certain periods, a man or two would be part of the mix, but more often the residents were women. Some lived there for several years and others just a few months. Most had a degree of dementia. All were limited physically.

I remember each of their names: Colleen, Edith, Pearl, Gail, Sue, Ann, Trudy, Marge, Maxine, Joanna, Bill, Irv, Janice, and others. Read more