Re: Sometimes a good nursing home is the best way to be a caregiver

[Guest guest]

kerry,

how wonderful that things have turned out so wonderful, we had problems with

poop, to the point that daddy decided it was chocolate. that was where i

couldnt hndle it anymore. i would get sick, donnie would get sick and dad welll

he was enjoying himself.

but it s amaziung how the uncle lewy can change people so much, and now that

he is living somewhere else you arent the bad girl anymore who steals histhings,

now you are the rescuer things changed between jan colello and her hubby to

whenshe finally put him in a facility. i am soooo happy foryou, take care and

SLEEP WELL. hugs. sharon

kerry1897 wrote:

Hello all, this will be a long post, so be forewarned,

I have read most of the posts for the past two years, and only posted

very little during the first few months after my father was diagnosed

with LBD in April, 2006. I feel I know you all! I would like to

express my experiences with my father, who is 85.

My father moved in with us in May of 2006, and at that time the only

troubling thing was his hallucinations. Started on Seroquel and a

mild anti-depressant, he wasn't too bad, but the hallucinations and

paranoia still increased. Gradually, he went from being able to

shower himself, even make a simple sandwich, to being totally

incapable of washing or dressing himself.

He didn't know how to get into bed - the sheets and blankets confused

him. He put down food in bowls on the kitchen floor for non-existent

pets. Constantly hiding his wallet then panicking for me to find it.

Clothes rummaging, and toilet roll unwinding. Standing on the

baseboard heater till it broke, turning on the shower with the door

open so it flooded the bathroom more than once. Constantly taking off

his clothes, and accusing us of selling our house and abandoning him.

The worst thing was his paranoia and suspicion. He was originally

diagnosed because he called the RCMP twice to his house, saying there

were intruders. While living with me, he called the local police

while I was out, to arrest the contractor who was working on my house.

He constantly accused me of stealing things from him. The one that

made me laugh was when he couldn't find his battery operated nose

hair trimmer. I found it in the bathroom drawer, as it was there all

the time. He said I must have wanted it pretty badly, and I must have

stolen it, because how did I know where it was? That's Lewy logic! at

no time did he ever appreciate how much we had turned our lives

upside down for him. I became virtually housebound, and my husband

and I took separate holidays of just a few days away.

I knew once he became incapable of washing himself that I couldn't do

it for him. We were always a modest family, and he hated having me do

it. After a few weeks, I hired homecare. At that time he began having

accidents, and that is when I seriously started looking for a good

nursing home.

I know some of you deal with this every day (poop in the washer!) but

each one of us has our limits, and that was it for me. The

personality that was my father had departed, and a demanding,

joyless, suspicious old man was inhabiting his body.

When the nursing home call came, I spent a sleepless night wondering

how it would go. The next morning I told him I was taking him to a

really nice place where he would be looked after well. 'OK,' he said.

He went in mid-January, and it was the best decision I ever made.

Today I had a care conference at the home, with the pharmacist, their

doctor, the activities co-ordinator, social worker, and two nurses.

On top of that, his regular physician was there. They gave me a

detailed oral and written report about how he's getting on.

The hallucinations have gone, after the first week. Stunning! He

turns out for all the activities, and loves the music. No matter what

the music, he asks ladies and aides to dance - he always was a bit of

a flirt! He eats swell, is mobile, and they have a him in a good

routine of getting up, washing, etc. They consider him to be a 'kind

and good natured man,' a direct quote from his report card.

I know that if he had stayed with me, I would have had a nervous

breakdown by now. His doctor walked me out to the car car, and said I

took care of him well, and that this home was a good decision. I

think for the first time in the past two years, I will go to bed

tonight without feeling angry or guilty. Even after placing him, I

would lie in bed at night second guessing the decision, squirming

with self-loathing that I wasn't a good enough person like the

caregivers on this board who do so much.

Well, now that I see him thriving, I don't feel guilty. He needed

lots of people around him in a safe, controlled environment. Now he

is so happy, that today he asked me if it was true the place was

going to be redeveloped and he wouldn't be able to stay. (He's still

suspicious, moaning and paranoid with me). He was thrilled when I

said he could stay as long as he wanted.

Whew! Those of you who have read every words, congrats! The only

right way to deal with this disease is to do as much as you're

capable of, and know when it is right for you and your LO to pass the

load onto the professionals.

Thanks for listening

---------------------------------

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

---

Kerry,

I dont think Ive seen you post before so if not ,then

welcome.This is great that your father is doing better and I hope

that things continue on the same track.My very best to you and your

family. Ron

In LBDcaregivers , " kerry1897 " wrote:

>

> Hello all, this will be a long post, so be forewarned,

>

> I have read most of the posts for the past two years, and only

posted

> very little during the first few months after my father was

diagnosed

> with LBD in April, 2006. I feel I know you all! I would like to

> express my experiences with my father, who is 85.

>

> My father moved in with us in May of 2006, and at that time the

only

> troubling thing was his hallucinations. Started on Seroquel and a

> mild anti-depressant, he wasn't too bad, but the hallucinations and

> paranoia still increased. Gradually, he went from being able to

> shower himself, even make a simple sandwich, to being totally

> incapable of washing or dressing himself.

>

> He didn't know how to get into bed - the sheets and blankets

confused

> him. He put down food in bowls on the kitchen floor for non-

existent

> pets. Constantly hiding his wallet then panicking for me to find

it.

> Clothes rummaging, and toilet roll unwinding. Standing on the

> baseboard heater till it broke, turning on the shower with the door

> open so it flooded the bathroom more than once. Constantly taking

off

> his clothes, and accusing us of selling our house and abandoning

him.

>

> The worst thing was his paranoia and suspicion. He was originally

> diagnosed because he called the RCMP twice to his house, saying

there

> were intruders. While living with me, he called the local police

> while I was out, to arrest the contractor who was working on my

house.

> He constantly accused me of stealing things from him. The one that

> made me laugh was when he couldn't find his battery operated nose

> hair trimmer. I found it in the bathroom drawer, as it was there

all

> the time. He said I must have wanted it pretty badly, and I must

have

> stolen it, because how did I know where it was? That's Lewy logic!

at

> no time did he ever appreciate how much we had turned our lives

> upside down for him. I became virtually housebound, and my husband

> and I took separate holidays of just a few days away.

>

> I knew once he became incapable of washing himself that I couldn't

do

> it for him. We were always a modest family, and he hated having me

do

> it. After a few weeks, I hired homecare. At that time he began

having

> accidents, and that is when I seriously started looking for a good

> nursing home.

>

> I know some of you deal with this every day (poop in the washer!)

but

> each one of us has our limits, and that was it for me. The

> personality that was my father had departed, and a demanding,

> joyless, suspicious old man was inhabiting his body.

>

> When the nursing home call came, I spent a sleepless night

wondering

> how it would go. The next morning I told him I was taking him to a

> really nice place where he would be looked after well. 'OK,' he

said.

> He went in mid-January, and it was the best decision I ever made.

>

> Today I had a care conference at the home, with the pharmacist,

their

> doctor, the activities co-ordinator, social worker, and two nurses.

> On top of that, his regular physician was there. They gave me a

> detailed oral and written report about how he's getting on.

>

> The hallucinations have gone, after the first week. Stunning! He

> turns out for all the activities, and loves the music. No matter

what

> the music, he asks ladies and aides to dance - he always was a bit

of

> a flirt! He eats swell, is mobile, and they have a him in a good

> routine of getting up, washing, etc. They consider him to be

a 'kind

> and good natured man,' a direct quote from his report card.

>

> I know that if he had stayed with me, I would have had a nervous

> breakdown by now. His doctor walked me out to the car car, and said

I

> took care of him well, and that this home was a good decision. I

> think for the first time in the past two years, I will go to bed

> tonight without feeling angry or guilty. Even after placing him, I

> would lie in bed at night second guessing the decision, squirming

> with self-loathing that I wasn't a good enough person like the

> caregivers on this board who do so much.

>

> Well, now that I see him thriving, I don't feel guilty. He needed

> lots of people around him in a safe, controlled environment. Now he

> is so happy, that today he asked me if it was true the place was

> going to be redeveloped and he wouldn't be able to stay. (He's

still

> suspicious, moaning and paranoid with me). He was thrilled when I

> said he could stay as long as he wanted.

>

> Whew! Those of you who have read every words, congrats! The only

> right way to deal with this disease is to do as much as you're

> capable of, and know when it is right for you and your LO to pass

the

> load onto the professionals.

>

> Thanks for listening

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kerry,

I agree. That is the way that we think as well. Glad that your dad is doing so

well. Where are you living? Take care. Doris

Doris, daughter of Ramona, 78yrs old, first diagnosed with AD in Sep 2004, then

changed to LBD in March of 2005. Now living in Long Term Care facility. Meds:

Reminyl, Wellbutrin and Seroquel. (Mississauga, Canada)

Sometimes a good nursing home is the best way to be a

caregiver

Hello all, this will be a long post, so be forewarned,

I have read most of the posts for the past two years, and only posted

very little during the first few months after my father was diagnosed

with LBD in April, 2006. I feel I know you all! I would like to

express my experiences with my father, who is 85.

My father moved in with us in May of 2006, and at that time the only

troubling thing was his hallucinations. Started on Seroquel and a

mild anti-depressant, he wasn't too bad, but the hallucinations and

paranoia still increased. Gradually, he went from being able to

shower himself, even make a simple sandwich, to being totally

incapable of washing or dressing himself.

He didn't know how to get into bed - the sheets and blankets confused

him. He put down food in bowls on the kitchen floor for non-existent

pets. Constantly hiding his wallet then panicking for me to find it.

Clothes rummaging, and toilet roll unwinding. Standing on the

baseboard heater till it broke, turning on the shower with the door

open so it flooded the bathroom more than once. Constantly taking off

his clothes, and accusing us of selling our house and abandoning him.

The worst thing was his paranoia and suspicion. He was originally

diagnosed because he called the RCMP twice to his house, saying there

were intruders. While living with me, he called the local police

while I was out, to arrest the contractor who was working on my house.

He constantly accused me of stealing things from him. The one that

made me laugh was when he couldn't find his battery operated nose

hair trimmer. I found it in the bathroom drawer, as it was there all

the time. He said I must have wanted it pretty badly, and I must have

stolen it, because how did I know where it was? That's Lewy logic! at

no time did he ever appreciate how much we had turned our lives

upside down for him. I became virtually housebound, and my husband

and I took separate holidays of just a few days away.

I knew once he became incapable of washing himself that I couldn't do

it for him. We were always a modest family, and he hated having me do

it. After a few weeks, I hired homecare. At that time he began having

accidents, and that is when I seriously started looking for a good

nursing home.

I know some of you deal with this every day (poop in the washer!) but

each one of us has our limits, and that was it for me. The

personality that was my father had departed, and a demanding,

joyless, suspicious old man was inhabiting his body.

When the nursing home call came, I spent a sleepless night wondering

how it would go. The next morning I told him I was taking him to a

really nice place where he would be looked after well. 'OK,' he said.

He went in mid-January, and it was the best decision I ever made.

Today I had a care conference at the home, with the pharmacist, their

doctor, the activities co-ordinator, social worker, and two nurses.

On top of that, his regular physician was there. They gave me a

detailed oral and written report about how he's getting on.

The hallucinations have gone, after the first week. Stunning! He

turns out for all the activities, and loves the music. No matter what

the music, he asks ladies and aides to dance - he always was a bit of

a flirt! He eats swell, is mobile, and they have a him in a good

routine of getting up, washing, etc. They consider him to be a 'kind

and good natured man,' a direct quote from his report card.

I know that if he had stayed with me, I would have had a nervous

breakdown by now. His doctor walked me out to the car car, and said I

took care of him well, and that this home was a good decision. I

think for the first time in the past two years, I will go to bed

tonight without feeling angry or guilty. Even after placing him, I

would lie in bed at night second guessing the decision, squirming

with self-loathing that I wasn't a good enough person like the

caregivers on this board who do so much.

Well, now that I see him thriving, I don't feel guilty. He needed

lots of people around him in a safe, controlled environment. Now he

is so happy, that today he asked me if it was true the place was

going to be redeveloped and he wouldn't be able to stay. (He's still

suspicious, moaning and paranoid with me). He was thrilled when I

said he could stay as long as he wanted.

Whew! Those of you who have read every words, congrats! The only

right way to deal with this disease is to do as much as you're

capable of, and know when it is right for you and your LO to pass the

load onto the professionals.

Thanks for listening

[Guest guest]

Kerry & Sharon: Thank you for the post about your Loved ones. As you will

see, I am contmeplating such a move and this message comes at a good time. I

will put that in my " reasons to place " file. Thanks, Leona

God whispers in your soul and speaks to your mind. Sometimes when you

don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at you. It's your

choice: Listen to the whisper, or wait for the brick.

[Guest guest]

leona,

sometimes the best thing to do sounds so simplebut is so cmplicated, start you

a two column list,

what you can do and what you cant do, but someone else can do,

feed, change dirty beds, etc, and what you cant do andthe things you cant do

are usually things that agitates him, dirtydiapers, taking medcines, taking

showers to clean up mssy bodies, havig someone else do that he will take it

from them with little or no argument becucase they dont love him so he cant

manipulate like he can you, remember lbd destroys the inhibiation tact and

knowledge of right and wrong. and you coming in will be his savior. you will

bring him treats, his favorite icecream or dinner, you will comein with smile

and if he needs clean someone else doesit you can take him out when the weather

is rightand show hhim the beauty of the world. the hardest decision to make now

in hindsight will be alot simpler it has been proven by many in this group

includng jim colello, my dad just to name a few, your job is to love and see tht

quality care is given and their is NOTHING wrong with you for not being able to

do with poop painting and stuff, it isi difficult i

couldnt deal with it, i am human you are too,so letother handle waht you cant

and you handle the overseeing and teh love and forgive yourself for doing your

best. everyone has their limit. hugs. sharon ps if you want my # you may

call me anytime hugs.s

Leona Chereshnoski wrote:

Kerry & Sharon: Thank you for the post about your Loved ones. As you

will

see, I am contmeplating such a move and this message comes at a good time. I

will put that in my " reasons to place " file. Thanks, Leona

God whispers in your soul and speaks to your mind. Sometimes when you

don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at you. It's your

choice: Listen to the whisper, or wait for the brick.

---------------------------------

Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

[Guest guest]

Kerry,

I'm thrilled to hear how well your Dad is doing in the nursing home. I'm

particularly happy for you and your husband.

All the best, Norma

" kerry1897 "

<kerry1897yahoo (DOT)

ca> To

Sent by: LBDcaregivers

LBDcaregivers@yah cc

oogroups.com

Subject

Sometimes a good

02/14/2008 07:21 nursing home is the best way to be

PM a caregiver

Please respond to

LBDcaregivers@yah

oogroups.com

Hello all, this will be a long post, so be forewarned,

I have read most of the posts for the past two years, and only posted

very little during the first few months after my father was diagnosed

with LBD in April, 2006. I feel I know you all! I would like to

express my experiences with my father, who is 85.

My father moved in with us in May of 2006, and at that time the only

troubling thing was his hallucinations. Started on Seroquel and a

mild anti-depressant, he wasn't too bad, but the hallucinations and

paranoia still increased. Gradually, he went from being able to

shower himself, even make a simple sandwich, to being totally

incapable of washing or dressing himself.

He didn't know how to get into bed - the sheets and blankets confused

him. He put down food in bowls on the kitchen floor for non-existent

pets. Constantly hiding his wallet then panicking for me to find it.

Clothes rummaging, and toilet roll unwinding. Standing on the

baseboard heater till it broke, turning on the shower with the door

open so it flooded the bathroom more than once. Constantly taking off

his clothes, and accusing us of selling our house and abandoning him.

The worst thing was his paranoia and suspicion. He was originally

diagnosed because he called the RCMP twice to his house, saying there

were intruders. While living with me, he called the local police

while I was out, to arrest the contractor who was working on my house.

He constantly accused me of stealing things from him. The one that

made me laugh was when he couldn't find his battery operated nose

hair trimmer. I found it in the bathroom drawer, as it was there all

the time. He said I must have wanted it pretty badly, and I must have

stolen it, because how did I know where it was? That's Lewy logic! at

no time did he ever appreciate how much we had turned our lives

upside down for him. I became virtually housebound, and my husband

and I took separate holidays of just a few days away.

I knew once he became incapable of washing himself that I couldn't do

it for him. We were always a modest family, and he hated having me do

it. After a few weeks, I hired homecare. At that time he began having

accidents, and that is when I seriously started looking for a good

nursing home.

I know some of you deal with this every day (poop in the washer!) but

each one of us has our limits, and that was it for me. The

personality that was my father had departed, and a demanding,

joyless, suspicious old man was inhabiting his body.

When the nursing home call came, I spent a sleepless night wondering

how it would go. The next morning I told him I was taking him to a

really nice place where he would be looked after well. 'OK,' he said.

He went in mid-January, and it was the best decision I ever made.

Today I had a care conference at the home, with the pharmacist, their

doctor, the activities co-ordinator, social worker, and two nurses.

On top of that, his regular physician was there. They gave me a

detailed oral and written report about how he's getting on.

The hallucinations have gone, after the first week. Stunning! He

turns out for all the activities, and loves the music. No matter what

the music, he asks ladies and aides to dance - he always was a bit of

a flirt! He eats swell, is mobile, and they have a him in a good

routine of getting up, washing, etc. They consider him to be a 'kind

and good natured man,' a direct quote from his report card.

I know that if he had stayed with me, I would have had a nervous

breakdown by now. His doctor walked me out to the car car, and said I

took care of him well, and that this home was a good decision. I

think for the first time in the past two years, I will go to bed

tonight without feeling angry or guilty. Even after placing him, I

would lie in bed at night second guessing the decision, squirming

with self-loathing that I wasn't a good enough person like the

caregivers on this board who do so much.

Well, now that I see him thriving, I don't feel guilty. He needed

lots of people around him in a safe, controlled environment. Now he

is so happy, that today he asked me if it was true the place was

going to be redeveloped and he wouldn't be able to stay. (He's still

suspicious, moaning and paranoid with me). He was thrilled when I

said he could stay as long as he wanted.

Whew! Those of you who have read every words, congrats! The only

right way to deal with this disease is to do as much as you're

capable of, and know when it is right for you and your LO to pass the

load onto the professionals.

Thanks for listening

[Guest guest]

Kerry: I'm glad you know in your heart you made the

right decision. When you can find a good nursing

home, it is often better for both the patient and the

caregiver, especially if you are going it alone. They

have ways of dealing with them, particularly when they

get less mobile and need more than one person to help

them. My husband got to the point it took two aides,

one on each side of him, and me behind him to keep him

from going backwards. I could not have handled him

myself. The worst part is finding that good NH, and

it sounds as if you did. And, for a doctor to walk

you to the car - now that's pretty unheard of. Most

of them can't wait to get to the next patient and

don't give the time and attention to the one they are

seeing. So, it seems as if you " done good. "

June

--- kerry1897 wrote:

> Hello all, this will be a long post, so be

> forewarned,

>

> I have read most of the posts for the past two

> years, and only posted

> very little during the first few months after my

> father was diagnosed

> with LBD in April, 2006. I feel I know you all! I

> would like to

> express my experiences with my father, who is 85.

>

> My father moved in with us in May of 2006, and at

> that time the only

> troubling thing was his hallucinations. Started on

> Seroquel and a

> mild anti-depressant, he wasn't too bad, but the

> hallucinations and

> paranoia still increased. Gradually, he went from

> being able to

> shower himself, even make a simple sandwich, to

> being totally

> incapable of washing or dressing himself.

>

> He didn't know how to get into bed - the sheets and

> blankets confused

> him. He put down food in bowls on the kitchen floor

> for non-existent

> pets. Constantly hiding his wallet then panicking

> for me to find it.

> Clothes rummaging, and toilet roll unwinding.

> Standing on the

> baseboard heater till it broke, turning on the

> shower with the door

> open so it flooded the bathroom more than once.

> Constantly taking off

> his clothes, and accusing us of selling our house

> and abandoning him.

>

> The worst thing was his paranoia and suspicion. He

> was originally

> diagnosed because he called the RCMP twice to his

> house, saying there

> were intruders. While living with me, he called the

> local police

> while I was out, to arrest the contractor who was

> working on my house.

> He constantly accused me of stealing things from

> him. The one that

> made me laugh was when he couldn't find his battery

> operated nose

> hair trimmer. I found it in the bathroom drawer, as

> it was there all

> the time. He said I must have wanted it pretty

> badly, and I must have

> stolen it, because how did I know where it was?

> That's Lewy logic! at

> no time did he ever appreciate how much we had

> turned our lives

> upside down for him. I became virtually housebound,

> and my husband

> and I took separate holidays of just a few days

> away.

>

> I knew once he became incapable of washing himself

> that I couldn't do

> it for him. We were always a modest family, and he

> hated having me do

> it. After a few weeks, I hired homecare. At that

> time he began having

> accidents, and that is when I seriously started

> looking for a good

> nursing home.

>

> I know some of you deal with this every day (poop in

> the washer!) but

> each one of us has our limits, and that was it for

> me. The

> personality that was my father had departed, and a

> demanding,

> joyless, suspicious old man was inhabiting his body.

>

> When the nursing home call came, I spent a sleepless

> night wondering

> how it would go. The next morning I told him I was

> taking him to a

> really nice place where he would be looked after

> well. 'OK,' he said.

> He went in mid-January, and it was the best decision

> I ever made.

>

> Today I had a care conference at the home, with the

> pharmacist, their

> doctor, the activities co-ordinator, social worker,

> and two nurses.

> On top of that, his regular physician was there.

> They gave me a

> detailed oral and written report about how he's

> getting on.

>

> The hallucinations have gone, after the first week.

> Stunning! He

> turns out for all the activities, and loves the

> music. No matter what

> the music, he asks ladies and aides to dance - he

> always was a bit of

> a flirt! He eats swell, is mobile, and they have a

> him in a good

> routine of getting up, washing, etc. They consider

> him to be a 'kind

> and good natured man,' a direct quote from his

> report card.

>

> I know that if he had stayed with me, I would have

> had a nervous

> breakdown by now. His doctor walked me out to the

> car car, and said I

> took care of him well, and that this home was a good

> decision. I

> think for the first time in the past two years, I

> will go to bed

> tonight without feeling angry or guilty. Even after

> placing him, I

> would lie in bed at night second guessing the

> decision, squirming

> with self-loathing that I wasn't a good enough

> person like the

> caregivers on this board who do so much.

>

> Well, now that I see him thriving, I don't feel

> guilty. He needed

> lots of people around him in a safe, controlled

> environment. Now he

> is so happy, that today he asked me if it was true

> the place was

> going to be redeveloped and he wouldn't be able to

> stay. (He's still

> suspicious, moaning and paranoid with me). He was

> thrilled when I

> said he could stay as long as he wanted.

>

> Whew! Those of you who have read every words,

> congrats! The only

> right way to deal with this disease is to do as much

> as you're

> capable of, and know when it is right for you and

> your LO to pass the

> load onto the professionals.

>

> Thanks for listening

>

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

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[Guest guest]

Thank you all for your kind wishes, and thank you, , for placing this NH

name on the list. I know I couldn't have gotten as far as I did, without all the

info on this board. Here's an example: at the conference yesterday, I mentioned

how I read a post here that Lipitor might increase confusion, Neither the NH doc

or Dad's doc had heard of that, but they offered to take Dad off Lipitor for 4

weeks to see if it made any difference.

I had also printed off the 5 stages of LBD and given it to the nursing staff

when Dad was first admitted. Most of them have had no experience with LBD, but

they are so open and seem happy to learn.

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[Guest guest]

Hi,

We have Central Park Lodge here also. I think that a lot of places are trying

to do well with our LO's who need care and that the governments are really

regulating everything. We were told that they even have to have the food served

at a certain temperature to make sure that it's safe and cooked properly.

We are having a similar experience with mom's place too in terms of the care she

is getting. Today she was sure that I wasn't going to come and that something

was wrong. She was disoriented and didn't remember my sister and I being there

yesterday and putting up all of her pictures. She even helped me refold her

clothes after I put her name labels on them. She needed guidance with the

folding. But anyway she didn't remember that we had been there and when I

walked her to her room she didn't recognize it either. But everyone is

reassuring to her and is doing their best to help her adjust to her new place

and I am pleased about that.

She told my nephew this afternoon that her apartment is nice. They had her do

exercises this morning and were pleased with her and are signing her up.

She is not staying in her room and tends to stay in the common area with the

others. I think she feels more secure there where she can ask the workers for

help if she needs it.

One of the careworkers who helped my dad and even came to his funeral five years

ago is still working there and when she heard that my mom was here she came to

visit her and was so pleased to see mom. Mom's facility is quite small and I

think they get to know the residents quite well too. I'll take a look at your

dad's place.

Hope the weather is good in BC. Do you get family day on Monday? It's a new

holiday here in Ontario. I think it's in one other province too, but can't

remember which one. Anyway have a good weekend.

Doris, daughter of Ramona, 78yrs old, first diagnosed with AD in Sep 2004, then

changed to LBD in March of 2005. Now living in Long Term Care facility. Meds:

Reminyl, Wellbutrin and Seroquel. (Mississauga, Canada)

Re: Sometimes a good nursing home is the best way to be

a caregiver

Doris,

I am in , BC, and the home is run by the Central Park Lodge group, who

have a lot of homes across Canada. I see you are in Ontario. I can't tell you

how good this home is compared to some I looked at. If you search under '

Bay Care Centre, , BC,' you can take a virtual tour through the

facility, and it is a true representation of what it is like. The aides are

always smiling, even while working. I can visit any time I like, and don't stick

to a schedule. Dad is always dressed and clean. When we walk down the halls, he

is greeted by name, and if I haven't met them before, they introduce themselves

to me.

The only 'bad' mark on his report card was a mention of inappropriate sexual

behaviour. It never happened while he lived here, but then, I'm his daughter.

Just another thing that happens with Lewy, I guess. Also, he crams too much food

into his mouth, and finds it hard to swallow. But they are aware of this, and

watch for it. Since he can't anticipate or plan, they always come and get him

personally for the activities.

I am singing the praises of this place. His floor is the secure dementia floor,

with codes for the door and elevator. The other floors don't have that, although

the main entry door is coded.

I honestly think he will live longer there, because of the good care he is

getting.

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