Saturday 31 October 2015

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Bubble wrap.
Mom has been popping bubbles for over an hour now.
I asked her to stop several times because I was worried her fingers would get tired.
She has arthritis.
She assured me she was fine.
We'll see tomorrow.
She had butter chicken for dinner.  She didn't complain except that she thought she had too much food.  I told her that I would eat it.  Anyways she ate everything.
Took mom for her flu shot today.
She seems fine.
The pharmacist said that Vaseline was fine for rosacea.

Friday, October 30, 2015

Friday, October 30, 2015
Mom was very grouchy today at dinner.
She complained that she had to eat the same food everyday.
Of course this is impossible, but this is what she feels.
She also complained that people were stealing her things.
At least she enjoyed her bath and hair wash.
She still has that rash on her face.
I think it's rosacea.

Friday 23 October 2015

Friday, October 23, 2015

Friday, October 23, 2015

Just called mom.  She said she was very sick.  She couldn't explain what was wrong, but she was sure that she was going to die.  She said she didn't have a very good breakfast.  I tried to reassure her.  I told her that someone would come and make lunch for her and that I would be there for dinner.  She was adamant that she would not last that long.

She had a good day yesterday.  She went to daycare.  Yay!  She had a nice dinner, although she couldn't remember any details.  She said she was ready to go to bed when I called her at 9:10 p.m.

Sunday 18 October 2015

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Saturday, October 17, 2015
Mom seems to be in a pretty good mood.
She is still concerned that robbers came and took away all the gifts that her sisters brought;  even though, I showed her where I had put things away.
There was a fair at Nikkei so I was able to buy some chicken karaaage at Mogu.  It was delicious, but a little too oily and salty.
Mom helped with the dishes after lunch, but then she was tired and took a nap.
I took her to my place for dinner.
She helped to prepare the salad.
After dinner she helped to dry the dishes.
She helped chop up apples for an apple crisp.
I altered mom's new powder pink pajamas that I  bought at Costco.
We watched the Honeymooners as we ate apple crisp with ice cream.

Nancy

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Sunday, October 18, 2015
Mom woke up in a good mood.
We had pancakes and bacon for breakfast.  She had a good appetite.
After breakfast she said she felt tired and took a nap.
About an hour later when she awoke, she said she felt cold.
I gave her more blankets and gave her a cup of warm milk.
She took another nap.
At lunch we had leftovers:  butter chicken, green salad and boiled pumpkin.
She had a good appetite.
Mom didn't even help to dry the dishes after lunch.  We watched some animals at work episodes and then she took another nap.  

Friday 16 October 2015

Friday, October 16, 2015

Friday, October 16, 2015
Mom was very upset this morning when I called.
She said she was very ill and couldn't eat breakfast.
She said that all the gifts she received were gone.
I told her not to worry because I would find them when I went for dinner tonight.
She said that she might be dead by that time.

Monday 12 October 2015

Cats

Sunday, October 11, 2015
We had an early lunch, because I had to get home and make stuff for the dinner.  I was busy so I turned on the television and had mom watch shows like the Brady Bunch, Gilligan's Island, I Love Lucy, etc. and mom seemed to enjoy them.  She enjoyed looking at old photographs as well, but then she became concerned about the dry patches on her skin.  I washed her face and applied face cream.
Mom was very tired and took a nap shortly after she got to my place.  I washed her hair.  She was confused about where she was going.
When we got to Frank and Sharon's mom sat on the couch with the cats.  She seemed very content.  Of course, she got covered in cat fur and had to be sticky taped when she left.
She enjoyed being with her sisters.  She ate a lot.  After her sisters left, she wanted to go home.  She played with the cats briefly and then wanted to go home again.
When we got back to my place, she didn't want to take a bath.

Monday, October 12, 2015

Monday, October 12, 2015

Mom woke up in a good mood.
I made cream of wheat and added canned fruit.
Cheese and sausage on crackers put in the microwave.
Mom chopped up apples for an apple crisp.
She became a little cranky and eventually laid down on the couch and fell asleep.
She was complaining about the rough patches on her face.  She wanted me to make an appointment to see the doctor.

I had to get her ready to go to her home because we were meeting her sisters and brother-in-law.

As soon as we got to the bus stop she started complaining that we had missed the bus.  Luckily the bus showed up shortly after.

She was angry that I had invited her sisters to her home.  She wanted them to come to my home.  I tried to explain that her sisters wanted to see her place.  Mom was worried that she had nothing to offer them.  I told her not to worry because we were going out for lunch.  Finally, I noticed a situation happening at the front of the bus.  Someone had walked on without paying the fare and the bus driver had called her out on it.  She apologized and the bus driver let it go.  I explained what was going on to my mom and she was affronted.  At least, that changed the topic.

Mom was very happy when her sisters came.  She was very happy with the gifts they brought.  She had a good appetite at lunch and didn't seem bored at all.  She refused to take a nap.  We had apple crisp and ice cream for dessert.

After her sisters left, mom tried on her new clothes again.  She seemed confused about where they had come from.  I explained that her sisters had given them to her.  She was excited about wearing her new clothes tomorrow to daycare.  Then she became concerned that she had no money.  I showed her all her hiding places and she apologized to me for being angry.  A few minutes later, she did the same thing again.

We had a good dinner.  Mom was really interested in the food gifts she received.  I told her not to eat them all at once.  She ate two candies and then I put the rest in the cupboard.

She asked me if I would wash her hair tonight, but I explained that someone was coming to give her a bath and wash her hair tonight.  She was not pleased, but then she seemed to forget.

After we had more apple crisp and yogurt together I left for home.  Mom accompanied me to the building entrance.






Saturday 10 October 2015

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Saturday, October 10, 2015
The agency called to say that because of the long weekend, they were having staffing issues and mom's breakfast service would be delayed.  I called mom to let her know and she said that she would prepare breakfast herself.  I told her that if she waited 15 minutes, someone would be there; however, breakfast was delayed a further half an hour.  When I called her at 9:15 she said she had just eaten and that the support worker had left.  She seemed in good spirits.

Friday 9 October 2015

Friday, October 9, 2015

Friday, October 9, 2015
Mom was in a good mood this morning.
She was relieved to see me when I arrived for dinner.
She said there was no food.
There was plenty of food.
I took her to Suzuya and we bought some tofu, Yakulto and canned fish.
We finished off the Singapore Noodles and the hamburgers that E. had made last night.
I made miso soup with wakame, onions and tofu and sunomono with cucumbers and wakame.
There was also some leftover kabocha that E. had made.
I gave mom a fruit cup for dessert.
She wanted a piece of chocolate that E. had given her.
I gave mom a bath and washed and dried her hair.
Mom's face is incredibly dry.  I wonder if she is putting toothpaste on her face thinking it is face cream.  Or maybe she is using hand soap and not washing it off properly.
I put Vaseline on her face.
Just before I left she told me that she had no money.
I showed her where she kept her stash.
We practiced turning the lamp off and on.

Thursday at daycare

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Took the day off from work to encourage mom to go to daycare.
She usually goes without any problem on Tuesdays, but for some reason, every Friday she refuses to go.  I am now trying Thursdays.  The daycare originally wanted mom to come on Thursdays because there was a Japanese-speaking woman there, but I refused because I had already hired someone to make lunch for mom on that day.  Well, that lady quit so now Thursday was fine and since mom wasn't going to go on Friday, I thought Thursday might work.  But mom still refused.  Even though I told her that she could have a new friend, she refused.

Mom was in a really good mood today.  She was ready to go to daycare when I arrived at 9:00 a.m.  She had her jacket and purse ready beside her on the couch. I felt like it hadn't been necessary for me to come.

At 9:15 a.m. she got a phone call from the driver.  I had gone to throw out the garbage and when I returned to mom's room, she was about to go out the door.  I explained that the driver was letting her know that he was coming, but it wasn't time yet to leave.

The support worker who was supposed to get my mom ready for daycare showed up at 9:30 a.m.  We chatted for a bit and then headed downstairs to the lobby to wait for the driver.  The support worker left at 9:45 a.m.  I waited with my mom until 10:00 a.m. and got worried so I phoned the daycare and was told that the rider was on the way.

When the driver arrived shortly after she explained that there was an accident and she was delayed.

The Japanese lady talked to me and mom didn't talk to her.  I relayed back to my mom what the Japanese woman said.  My mom remarked that J. had black hair.  Mom has white hair.  J. is 10 years younger and I suspect she colours her hair.

The participants had coffee or tea and a muffin.  Then, they prepared the tables for lunch: laid out cutlery, placemats, cups, etc.  Someone came around and gave each person a choice of beef stew or shrimp sandwich for lunch.  I picked shrimp sandwich and the lady said that mom usually chose the warm dish.

The participants went to another part of the room and sat in a circle.  The coordinator chatted with the group about family gatherings on the weekend.  Then, the exercise instructor showed up.  Mom was very serious about the exercise.  I thought it was a good time to make my escape.

At first mom was anxious and wanted to leave with me, but then she was fine.

I brought mom my old lamp.

I noticed that the Wednesday night support worker hadn't gained access to mom's suite.  That means that mom didn't have a bath or get her hair washed.  Also, she didn't get her meds.  Yikes!
I saw a notice posted on mom's door that there had been an intruder on the first floor and that all windows should be secured.



Lamp is broken

Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Mom had a nice time at daycare.
Was in a rush today.  Have to go to choir earlier for sectionals.
I bought Singapore Noodles for the first time in a long time.  Mom complained we always eat the same thing.  She ate a lot of Singapore Noodles.
Just before I was leaving she showed me that her lamp was broken.
I called my brother and he said that I could pick one up at London Drugs.


Sunday 4 October 2015

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Mom woke up a few times during the night to use the toilet.  She was able to turn on the light, etc.
Mom was already awake and dressed when I got up this morning.  She had already folded the bedding.  She was sitting on the couch.  She said she had a good sleep.
I gave her vitamin pills and a glass of water.
I tried serving her cream of wheat.  I tried the whole wheat cream of wheat yesterday morning, but I'm not sure if she would like it.  We tried the regular cream of wheat this morning.  It went really well with the apple crumble I made last night and kefir.  Mom liked it.
It has a lot of iron in it.
She's taking a nap now.
When mom woke up at 10:30, I got her to chop up cucumbers, daikon and orange pepper for sunomono.  She sliced onion for our tonkatsu don.  I gave her a glass of Ensure and milk as a snack.
She dried and put away the dishes from breakfast.  We folded laundry.  I got her do a little vacuuming.  We took the recycling downstairs to the basement.
Mom enjoyed lunch.  After I washed the dishes and she dried, she was ready for another nap. During lunch she asked me if I had ever been married.  I told her that I had been for a short time, but now I was divorced.  She asked me again and I repeated my answer.
We had to wait half an hour for a bus that is supposed to come every 12 minutes.  Luckily the weather was beautiful and mom was relatively calm.
I let mom look after a stir fry while I went to check on laundry.  I had the heat set relatively low.  I bumped into M.  He thinks he may have cancer.  He said he's going to the hospital for a CT scan tomorrow.  Then I bumped into another resident who asked me to explain how to use the new washer.  When I got back to mom's apartment, the food was burning.  Mom had put the heat up high.  I took the fry pan off the element and added water.  Luckily it was salvageable.  Poor mom.  She felt bad.
She folded laundry, but was facing challenges.  She didn't know where to put things back.  This happens with the dishes too.
Mom really enjoyed dinner and that made me feel good.  The pumpkin was especially delicious tonight.  I gave some to M. too.

Saturday 3 October 2015

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Mom enjoyed her breakfast this morning.
When I arrived, the main entrance to the building was open because someone was moving out.  It turned out to be the 90 year old Korean man that mom said was handsome.  She doesn't seem to be very interested in the move.
Mom had gone for a walk this morning.  Just by chance we arrived at the building at the same time.  We took the stairs to the 3rd floor because mom thought it would be faster.
I gave her yogurt with fruit for a snack.
She complained about not having clothes again.
M. came to make mom lunch today because I had a hair appointment in Vancouver.
When I came back, mom was anxious.  She thought that I had deserted her.  She had been washing underwear in the bathroom sink.
I told her that I would do the laundry tomorrow.
Anyways she was more docile and cooperative than she has been.
She insisted that we jaywalk.  I tried to resist, but she took me by the elbow and pulled me across the street.  I told her the story about how her old neighbour died because she was hit by a car.  Mom doesn't care.  She said everybody jaywalks.
She complained about the bus being late, but she was less accusatory towards me today.
Usually she blames me for the bus not coming.
Mom was kind of restless when we got back to my place.  She was touching things on the dining table.  She found some bubble wrap.  I showed her how to squish the bubbles.  She loved it.  It kept her occupied for a few minutes, so I could get things started for dinner.
I got her to slice apples and chop up carrots.
I made breaded, fried pork chops.  Mom ate it.  She ate a lot of boiled carrots too.
We had apple crumble with ice cream for dessert.
We are watching The Heat.  I can't believe mom is still awake.
She walked into my bedroom thinking she was at her place.
Mom wanted face cream so I put some on her face.  Her face seems pretty moist to me.

Friday, October 2, 2015

Mom said she needs new clothes.
She complained about having to eat the same thing everyday.
She ate well.
I gave her a bath and washed her hair.
She refused her bath on Wednesday.

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Mom did not go to adult daycare.
She said she didn't feel well.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Mom went to adult daycare today. Yay!
She said she didn't have a good time because there were too many people.
There was some kind of fair today.
I bought pork chowmein for dinner.  She said she had chowmein at the fair.
She complained about eating the same thing all the time.
She ate everything nevertheless.
She seemed quite energetic.  After we washed the dishes, we went for a walk around the block two times.