Descent into Alzheimer's Disease

My sister, her daughter, and I decided to go look at the area Alzheimer’s facilities that I didn’t visit a few months ago. We had an unbelievable experience at Pheasant Ridge. I didn’t make appointments, because I like to see how things are going without someone preparing for me first. Well, that decision brought the wrath of the receptionist, Pat, down upon all three of us.

We entered into the facility and told Pat we would like to see the dementia unit.

“Do you have an appointment?” she asks.

“No.”

“You have to have an appointment. The person who would show you is busy right now. Would you like to make an appointment?”

“Ummm, okay.” I glanced at my niece because she was driving and would be expected to be available later. She nodded her agreement.

“Okay, just a minute and let me call her. Her name is Gypsy.” She picks up the phone and presses some buttons.

“Gypsy, I know you’re busy with someone and I hate to interrupt, but I need you to call the front desk.”

Ring. Ring. She picks up the phone.

“Gypsy, I have three ladies here who have no appointment wanting to see the Alzheimer’s facility. They just marched right in and demanded to see the Alzheimer’s facility. With no appointment! What should I tell them?”

We’re standing there listening to her go on in that same manner. It was so absurd I was amused, but my niece was furious. I was amazed and shocked that someone would be so rude, knowing we were listening to her.

“Gypsy can see you at 2 P.M. Is that all right?” She smiles at us as if we had been in a sound proof booth and heard nothing she had just said.

“Yes, that will be fine.”

“Oh, I should tell you. We don’t have any grants or Medicaid or anything like that here. It’s all private pay.”

Now my sister was offended.

“Why does she look at us and assume we’re poor? Maybe I should have worn a dress.”

We left and tried to find another place and discussed whether or not we should report Miss Congeniality to the director.

When we returned, Gypsy was nice to us, although we had to answer several questions before we could see the facility. There we met the assistant activities director. He was a middle aged man with a game show announcer voice. He merrily recited some of the activities to us and then gave us a big theatrical smile. I asked him another question and he fell right into his booming voice routine and ended abruptly with the same over-acted smile. It was quite humorous. He reminded me of those stage actors that purposely overact. I don’t know where they found him. Probably borrowed him from The Price Is Right.

At any rate, Pat had already made a bad enough impression to put a damper on any thoughts of placing there.

I guess it really doesn’t matter in the long run, because I don’t plan to place Mom in this area anyway. However, it does give me an idea of what is available and what I can expect. The truth is I can’t imagine dropping her off anywhere and leaving her there to live. There was a lady in one of the places crying her eyes out. I couldn’t bear to know that was my mom.

If I do have to place Mom, I would like to move us both back to the beach so I can be near my friends there. The only thing is if I wait too long and she is at death’s door, it won’t be feasible to move her. I don’t want to do it too soon, because I’ll feel like I’m deserting her. There are no easy answers and I am counting on God to lead me in a plain path.

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

In another exciting end to the baseball season, the Angels won the World Series 4-3. Congrats to the Angels on their long awaited possession of the title. Who woulda ever thunk it? Guess it’s time to get rid of the baseball theme on my computer.

Psalm 27:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.