I thought I would share with you a week in the life of Betty from my vantage point. My main interest is to feed her and stimulate her mind and body. She is actually a young 98 year old and she could be so much better. I believe because she has been so inactive for a long period of time, she has lost some of her vitality and ability to think clearly; however, when we are together, we can hold a good conversation.
So here it is:
Betty always loves to see me—with a big smile on her face
she perks up. When I arrived at Betty’s door today she said: Where are we going? I wasn't planning to take her anywhere
but then I thought she could join me on my errands. I had some shopping to do and I actually wanted to stock her
house with some essential items, Like a garbage can. Believe it or not, she just empties food into a plastic bag
and puts it in her garbage can. Her refrigerator is empty and her ability to
store food or supplies is nil.
So here it is:
Saturday, February 11, 2012
I first wanted to make sure she had lunch. I purchased some salads in small
amounts to see if she would eat them before I decided to buy in larger
quantities.
Potato salad, cole slaw and chicken salad were on the menu
and she loved it. It pleased me to
no end. My primary goal is to
allow her stomach to take in more food as she improves her nutrition.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Today we are going to LA for the afternoon and evening but first I took Betty to lunch at the Pizza shop. She ate outside in the warmth of the sun as she thoroughly enjoyed her slice of pizza. This little outings for her are memorable and she truly enjoys them. It makes me feel good too, knowing that she is thrilled to get the chance to be out and about. After lunch we walked to The Market to buy a croissant to go with her dinner tonight. I made her tomate soup with rice. It was placed on her stove and ready for her for the evening meal. I am nervous thinking that she won’t eat but then, a friend of her Doctor physical therapist called and said she could come over and sit with Betty for dinner at 5P.M.
Today we are going to LA for the afternoon and evening but first I took Betty to lunch at the Pizza shop. She ate outside in the warmth of the sun as she thoroughly enjoyed her slice of pizza. This little outings for her are memorable and she truly enjoys them. It makes me feel good too, knowing that she is thrilled to get the chance to be out and about. After lunch we walked to The Market to buy a croissant to go with her dinner tonight. I made her tomate soup with rice. It was placed on her stove and ready for her for the evening meal. I am nervous thinking that she won’t eat but then, a friend of her Doctor physical therapist called and said she could come over and sit with Betty for dinner at 5P.M.
It makes me feel good knowing that she is not alone and as
she is eating her meal, some one is with her to share in the moment and
encourage her to eat.
Monday, February 13, 2012
My daily routine with Betty is the same…Help her eat a banana for breakfast at 9:30 along with some dried apricots and dates; and come back at noon for lunch and again
return for dinner at 5:30 PM. In
between I try to go for a walk with her.
Dr. Christine, the physical therapist, came today to exercise her ailing
knee. Betty likes his attention
and friendship.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Lila came this morning. I showed up a little after 9:15 and the
garage door was closed, so I went to Betty’s bedroom door. Betty is laying on the bed, which is a
typical scene and Lila is sitting on the chair watching TV. She mumbled and was surprised to see
me. I realize that when the garage
door was closed she was hoping that I would not try to enter. I ignored her and proceeded to tell
Betty that we were going into the kitchen to get something to eat. Mumbling Lila followed. I insisted that Betty be given a shower
and have her hair washed. I had to
demand that Lila stay with Betty in the bathroom and help her. All she wants to do is use words that
stop Betty yet do nothing to encourage and help her.
Then I suggested later on that she take Betty for a walk
outside. She was fighting me
because she said Betty is too weak and tired….so I took betty’s hand and we
proceeded to walk the circle in the common area Betty often protests at first, but again I encourage her to
continue and she always does. Lila
was surprised when I said: I do
this daily with Betty. Her
statement was: Betty I didn’t know
you were so strong.
Lila is lazy and definitely not interested in seeing Betty become or
stay healthy and strong. I must
admit that is my primary goal.
Age is not the problem. Inactivity and lack of stimulation and motivation combined
with lack of compassion and caring is the problem. Betty has been left alone to fend for herself for so long
that she has become weak, indifferent and uninterested in sustaining her
self. I intend to see that cycle
stop. She is strong and has shown
that she is able to do many things.
She simply has been left to die.
It truly saddens me to see this happen. I will not and I cannot allow this to
happen. I pray that God will help
me help her find the right person who can and will live with her and befriend
her for the remainder of her life.
Joan Marie Ambrose
Services and Products by Joan Marie Ambrose
Joan Marie Ambrose
Services and Products by Joan Marie Ambrose
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