Update From Pat...

While some days mom is sad and on others confused, I think her life at Riverview is generally good. The staff continue to be caring and attentive. Residents are encouraged to join in activities and excursions. A few weeks mom went to the Spokane County fair. Barb was there to meet her and escort her around to the fair grounds. Mom told Lyn and I that she had a wonderful time and really enjoyed the trip. However, when we asked her what she like the most she struggled to share specifics, but she did respond to some cues.

Mom has been given Haldol a couple times a month these last two months. While Mom is more sedated / reticent on Haldol, at times the staff will use it if she does not respond to other intervention protocols when she is weepy. The PA asked whether we would like to consider counseling for her. I doubt such sessions would have any lasting benefit, but I don't really know.

They are watching her anemia, as she has been seemingly more tired of late. I told them about her Procrit. While she does receive an Iron supplement this may not be sufficient. They indicated a blood transfusion might be beneficial.


We have been taking her to Mass on Sundays. She enjoy getting out especially having a chocolate milk shake afterwards. We have taken her out to eat a few times, and most Sundays we try and bring her to our house after Mass. Last Sunday I think she slept 2 of the 3 hours she was there even though Michaelyn, Kirsten, Lyn and I were talking all around her. On Wednesdays at 3:00 mom attends a Catholic communion service downstairs in the chapel.

Mom may not remember who she visited/talked with from one day to the next. Sometimes she struggles understanding the 'future' - I will tell her that on the weekend we will go to Mass and before I leave she wants to know why I am not taking her to Mass now. At the care conference the RV staff suggested that instead of always trying to bring mom into our reality at times it may be easier to respond to hers. For example a while back she asked me "What Saint is that a picture of?" I had no idea what she was referring too, as I searched for what she was talking about. I said "What picture? I don't see any picture" I could just have said, "I don't know". "When will Dad get here?" "When he can, people are busy in heaven".

They are still providing restorative therapy 4-5 times a week. This involves mom practice standing up and holding on to a bar while she marches in place, walking with a walker and various arm exercises. She seems proud of what she can do - which isn't a lot, but we need to continue to encourage her to use what she has left. When I help her use the restroom or get into the car she can shuffle some to assist with the transfer, but she needs to be encouraged to 'stand up straight' & 'move your feet' or as I say 'dance with me mom'.

I have started taking her to visit other residents. While I do most of the talking, the resident seems to appreciate that we are 'visiting' and I think it keeps mom from being - feeling alone.

One week when at Bingo the other Ann, also a Catholic, was basically covering mom's cards I took over and put chips in her hand and told her when she had a number on a card. I only had to point out the card, not the number, and she was able to place the chip on the correct number albeit very slowly. One day she was making apple turnovers with six other residents but wasn't making much progress with the dough. They were all covered with flour and trying to share cooking-baking stories, but no one was very coherent. I put too much filling in mine so they became apple pizzas.

At the suggestion of Matt -dietician - I purchased a message phone for mom's room. For it to work, we had to set it to record after 4 rings. So, while you may not get mom when you call you can leave her a message. 509-482-8693 When you leave a message remember that she probably is there and can hear you. We will try to teach her how to access the replay by herself, but we can monitor the system and make sure she hears the messages and delete them as needed for space. We also thought it might be good for us to help her place calls to family so you can 'talk' to her directly. You very well may have to carry the conversations, but you may get a gem of mom to treasure.

Yesterday when visited her she was napping when I got there and when she awoke she slurred her speech a little. She asked me twice when would Dad be coming, but before I answered she said, "Oh he's gone".

If you send me an e-mail for her I will print it out in a larger font to make it easier for her to read.