Saturday, 25 January 2014
picture perfect
This wonderful picture of Dianna was captured by Lisse Dumanoir, a nurse at Cumberland Lodge.
Wednesday, 22 January 2014
wheelies
Di has been"up"these last few days and Becky, the Lodge physio person is back from her time off. For these reasons they are getting Di into her wheelchair in the AM.This gives her some exercise of her legs and feet as well as some mobility. The challenge is for her to move her feet forward to pull herself along. Not easy for someone with short term memory loss.
Yesterday I was pleased to see that she was doing much better in moving herself forward. As I approached the Lodge I noticed she was in the Sitting room,a room close to the front entrance with windows into the courtyard.I saw Di sitting in the room in her chair. When she saw me she immediately starred moving across the room to the window. I was struck by her success in moving the chair.
Yesterday I was pleased to see that she was doing much better in moving herself forward. As I approached the Lodge I noticed she was in the Sitting room,a room close to the front entrance with windows into the courtyard.I saw Di sitting in the room in her chair. When she saw me she immediately starred moving across the room to the window. I was struck by her success in moving the chair.
Sunday, 19 January 2014
Wednesday, 15 January 2014
Moving day
Quite some time ago I requested that Dianna be put on the waiting list for getting her own room. Since she entered Cumberland Lodge in September she has shared a room with another resident. While there have been no problems as a result of that sharing I felt having her own room would be an improvement for her. Dianna likes to have times of solitude and a sense that this is her home. In sharing it is difficult to get solitude moments and feeling that this is your place.
Two days ago Julia, the head nurse, came around to ask me if I was still interested in Dianna having her own room. She then took Dianna and I to a room down the hall that was vacant. While the room was exactly like the one she was in we were assured that if Dianna moved in here she would have the room all to herself. Dianna agreed and so we told Julia that we would go ahead with the move whenever she wanted Di to make the move. Well, as it turned out, she said Di could move right away if she wanted to. She then explained that the room was on the list to be remodeled (which they are doing in the Lodge). This would probably not happen for at least 9 months as they are short staffed for doing the remodeling program. When the time comes for the maintenance people to start on Di's new room she would be moved across the hall to another single bed room until they completed it. As I said, this would be at least 9 months away and I am betting it will be a year.
I am pleased to say that Dianna seems to like having her own space. While she has been in the new room now only 2 days she told me on the phone tonight (BJ was there and called me on another matter whereupon I asked to speak to Dianna)that she did like having her own room.. Good to hear. I think it will help her to get more established in the Lodge. Time will tell if it does but regardless, it will be a positive move.
Two days ago Julia, the head nurse, came around to ask me if I was still interested in Dianna having her own room. She then took Dianna and I to a room down the hall that was vacant. While the room was exactly like the one she was in we were assured that if Dianna moved in here she would have the room all to herself. Dianna agreed and so we told Julia that we would go ahead with the move whenever she wanted Di to make the move. Well, as it turned out, she said Di could move right away if she wanted to. She then explained that the room was on the list to be remodeled (which they are doing in the Lodge). This would probably not happen for at least 9 months as they are short staffed for doing the remodeling program. When the time comes for the maintenance people to start on Di's new room she would be moved across the hall to another single bed room until they completed it. As I said, this would be at least 9 months away and I am betting it will be a year.
I am pleased to say that Dianna seems to like having her own space. While she has been in the new room now only 2 days she told me on the phone tonight (BJ was there and called me on another matter whereupon I asked to speak to Dianna)that she did like having her own room.. Good to hear. I think it will help her to get more established in the Lodge. Time will tell if it does but regardless, it will be a positive move.
Sunday, 5 January 2014
A day in January
Here is a picture of Di today (01/04/14).
On this day she is properly dressed; which has not always been the case. Let me explain.
Yesterday Dianna was not dressed with the outfits we got for her (at the request of the Lodge). In fact, she was still in her nightwear. These outfits are designed to be open at the back. It makes it easier for staff to change her during the day; they also help to make the person feel good about themselves.
I had to talk to the nurse on duty, Francoise, who took a look at her and agreed that it was not acceptable and immediately got someone to get her dressed. You might think this is no big deal but it is. I know staff are quite busy in the morning so it would be understandable if and when Di is irritable and not cooperating for them to dress her with whatever is easiest and fastest. But when she is in good spirit getting up they should take time to properly dress her. Francoise agreed with me. She was also concerned that someone had put a flannel sheet over her legs; which Dianna promptly kicked off leaving her legs bare. They had not bothered to put her shoes on her.
I want to make it clear that we feel the staff as a whole are wonderful in their care giving services to the residents. One would be hard pressed to find a better Home. On the whole Dianna is well looked after. Consider the response I got from Francoise. They have set the bar high and meet the test every day.
On this day she is properly dressed; which has not always been the case. Let me explain.
Yesterday Dianna was not dressed with the outfits we got for her (at the request of the Lodge). In fact, she was still in her nightwear. These outfits are designed to be open at the back. It makes it easier for staff to change her during the day; they also help to make the person feel good about themselves.
I had to talk to the nurse on duty, Francoise, who took a look at her and agreed that it was not acceptable and immediately got someone to get her dressed. You might think this is no big deal but it is. I know staff are quite busy in the morning so it would be understandable if and when Di is irritable and not cooperating for them to dress her with whatever is easiest and fastest. But when she is in good spirit getting up they should take time to properly dress her. Francoise agreed with me. She was also concerned that someone had put a flannel sheet over her legs; which Dianna promptly kicked off leaving her legs bare. They had not bothered to put her shoes on her.
I want to make it clear that we feel the staff as a whole are wonderful in their care giving services to the residents. One would be hard pressed to find a better Home. On the whole Dianna is well looked after. Consider the response I got from Francoise. They have set the bar high and meet the test every day.
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