Moving Mom

[Guest guest]

I haven't written in so long but am keeping up with messages that have been

posted.

I am caregiver to my 84 year old mom who was diagnosed with LBD five years ago.

My

sister has recently moved back from the States to help me with her imminent

decline. We

have decided to move her out of the house and into an apartment where she will

be able

to move freely with her walker and the nurses at her day care facility have told

us she will

be in a wheelchair within the year. I agree with their conclusion as I have

noticed her rapid

decline with body functions - yet, her mind is still very sharp.

Is there any advice from anyone in a similar situation? The apartment is only

two blocks

from the house. Mom loves the idea of one floor living so needless to say, she

is extremely

excited. Currently, I take care of mom on Tuesday/Th/S and my sister takes care

of her on

M/W/F. Sundays are family days so we both take turns. I don't believe that we

should take

turns taking care of her on alternate days as this would be disruptive to all of

us but I

believe an entire week of taking care of her would be too stressful. Any

comments? Other

than " playing it by ear " ?

Also, an OT is coming to set up the apartment - we'll install railings for her,

make the

shower adaptable for her, etc. Most importantly, any comments on recliners

versus no

recliners? I want to buy her a new chair that will allow her to be more

comfortable. The

recliner might be nice but will she be able to get out of it in two years (or

two months?).

Please let me know if anyone has any great ideas.

Thanks so much.

PS I put mom in respite care for three weeks and she escaped the first night!

Hahahaha.

Luckily she told the police to take her to my house...she even remembered the

address!

Mom is driving this roller coaster and I'm just along for the ride.

[Guest guest]

hi,

i am so glad your sister has moved back to help you,

i can see why every other day may be overwhelming for you but then 1 week might

be too much for you too. how about 3 days on 3 days off with sunday being family

day,

i had our bathroom redone for daddy his walker wouldnt fit into it, so i made it

good for him, i have blindcopied victoria, i hope she will send you the link

for my hints on what to do to help.

now, as for recliner my dad couldnt figure out how to work it, but there are

recliners with lifts that helps the user sit down or stand up that could be

beneifical to help you and your sister got her up and down out of the chair,

i would have no throw rugs, as the walker will get hung on them or she can trip

over them.

good luck and hugs

sharon a-m

---- bizumer wrote:

I haven't written in so long but am keeping up with messages that have been

posted.

I am caregiver to my 84 year old mom who was diagnosed with LBD five years ago.

My

sister has recently moved back from the States to help me with her imminent

decline. We

have decided to move her out of the house and into an apartment where she will

be able

to move freely with her walker and the nurses at her day care facility have told

us she will

be in a wheelchair within the year. I agree with their conclusion as I have

noticed her rapid

decline with body functions - yet, her mind is still very sharp.

Is there any advice from anyone in a similar situation? The apartment is only

two blocks

from the house. Mom loves the idea of one floor living so needless to say, she

is extremely

excited. Currently, I take care of mom on Tuesday/Th/S and my sister takes care

of her on

M/W/F. Sundays are family days so we both take turns. I don't believe that we

should take

turns taking care of her on alternate days as this would be disruptive to all of

us but I

believe an entire week of taking care of her would be too stressful. Any

comments? Other

than " playing it by ear " ?

Also, an OT is coming to set up the apartment - we'll install railings for her,

make the

shower adaptable for her, etc. Most importantly, any comments on recliners

versus no

recliners? I want to buy her a new chair that will allow her to be more

comfortable. The

recliner might be nice but will she be able to get out of it in two years (or

two months?).

Please let me know if anyone has any great ideas.

Thanks so much.

PS I put mom in respite care for three weeks and she escaped the first night!

Hahahaha.

Luckily she told the police to take her to my house...she even remembered the

address!

Mom is driving this roller coaster and I'm just along for the ride.

--

I am daugher of Leonard, diagnosed May 2004, probably had lbd since 1993,.Dad

had a serious fall in 7/05 causing him to hav hip surgery .After that he

developed aspiration pneumonia 7/05 with pulmonary embolyis, which he almost

died from. He had a 2nd bout of aspiration pneumonia and uti 8/05. He died when

his blood pressure fluctuations started dropping without coming back up on

9/25/05,

may he rest in peace with his mom and dad,

a smile a day keeps the meanies away