When you go this week to visit talk to the CNA's who take care of your Mom to see what she is liking lately and what treats she will be able to handle because often ALz. pt have trouble eating so may choke on certain textures. Speaking of textures many Alz/Dementia pts enjoy textures so maybe a stuffed animal to stroke and hold onto. Reminence(sp not enough coffee yet) magazine is great because there will be pictures she will relate to because their long term memory is usually much better.
Take your kids she will like it and they will learn how important family is because you are caring for your Mom. A good way to break the ice make it less akward is to have them take a book to Granma and read it to her one with colors and pictures, take her a picture they colored and tell her about it. Sing her a song. Most kids are just akward and not at ease they don't know what to do. Take a toy to show her, but not something they couldn't stand to lend to her for a few hours if she becomes attatched to it(I think later in the process than she is at now)
You and especially the kids don't have to be there long, if there is an outside patio area and it is nice after a bit inside take her and the kids outside, they can walk around a bit and she can watch. bring ice cream for her and the kids they can share a treat and maybe she will remember taking you and your siblings for ice cream and tell all about it. The Home will be busy on Easter because so many people only come on the holidays so she may be agitated.It is so nice you can go other times! As she worsens consider going at lunch or dinner if you can and help her eat, the aids try but they really have so many people to help (you will be talked about very positively by the staff!)
It isn't easy,toward the end my Dad would grab my Mom's hand and demand her to get his wife(her) but could still add a long column of numbers in his head. Hang in there and allow yourself to feel bad because you really are grieving at this point, Hug your kids! I might let your son's put 1 goofy thing in they will really take ownership and everyone may get a laugh out of it. Almost forgot Many Alzh. persons get agitated in the evening so I would try to take the kids during the day. Check and see if she has a schedule so you don't arrive with the kids just as everyone is settling down for a nap.
Take your kids she will like it and they will learn how important family is because you are caring for your Mom. A good way to break the ice make it less akward is to have them take a book to Granma and read it to her one with colors and pictures, take her a picture they colored and tell her about it. Sing her a song. Most kids are just akward and not at ease they don't know what to do. Take a toy to show her, but not something they couldn't stand to lend to her for a few hours if she becomes attatched to it(I think later in the process than she is at now)
You and especially the kids don't have to be there long, if there is an outside patio area and it is nice after a bit inside take her and the kids outside, they can walk around a bit and she can watch. bring ice cream for her and the kids they can share a treat and maybe she will remember taking you and your siblings for ice cream and tell all about it. The Home will be busy on Easter because so many people only come on the holidays so she may be agitated.It is so nice you can go other times! As she worsens consider going at lunch or dinner if you can and help her eat, the aids try but they really have so many people to help (you will be talked about very positively by the staff!)
It isn't easy,toward the end my Dad would grab my Mom's hand and demand her to get his wife(her) but could still add a long column of numbers in his head. Hang in there and allow yourself to feel bad because you really are grieving at this point, Hug your kids! I might let your son's put 1 goofy thing in they will really take ownership and everyone may get a laugh out of it. Almost forgot Many Alzh. persons get agitated in the evening so I would try to take the kids during the day. Check and see if she has a schedule so you don't arrive with the kids just as everyone is settling down for a nap.
