Pluggin' away on the administrative aspect of being both conservator and guardian for both of my grandparents. How is that I continue to "plug away" and yet it feels like I am walking in circles. It can be so frustrating. There are rules that I must follow as guardian and conservator and then rules that I need to consider with Medicaid coverage right around the corner. For example, I had the house reassessed by the city. The new tax assessment is $17K higher than the appraisal value. I can sell the house at the appraisal value and satisfy the commisioner of accounts in Richmond. However, if I sell it for less than the tax assessed value, Medicaid will penalize my grandparents and their eligibility will be impacted. Though, I kind of wonder, how could they be penalized? What more could be taken from them at this point? Hmmm....really....
Mike and I delivered a new lift chair to Etta tonight. James already had a recliner given to him by a new friend I met after moving to the Laurel's. Now, Etta has a similar chair in the "lift model" so she isn't confined to her wheelchair all day. She told me it was comfortable and that she will enjoy resting or watching TV in it when she is "not busy socializing." She told me that the three men from Chestnut visited today. She said, "They "were all over me today...wanting me to run around with them!" She added that they went to the main dining hall where "someone pounded on the piano". She said she "sung as loud as possible and even danced a little too". I think she cracks herself up! She gets so much JOY out of these little outings to the other wing of the nursing home. It is such a gift to her...and such a gift to me. It warms my heart to hear her talk about her encounters with "the three men".
James continues to be content, especially with the new TV Mike installed in their room. While the doctors have treated him for reflux and allergies, he continues to spit up constantly. It is so disturbing and I pray that the problem can be identified soon so we can treat him appropriatly.
James has become very particular and likes his room tidy and to remain the same. At one point, I had moved his chair just a wee-bit to clean up some spit (yuck) when he directed me to move it back. Playing along with him, I budged the chair slightly. He directed me to move it more. This went on a few more times before I gave in and put it exactly where it was. It then seemed to click in his mind that I was playing with him and he looked up at me and smiled. Then, as clearly as I could, I looked him right in the eyes and said, "You sure are bossy!" He got a great laugh out of this. It was so nice to have that little exchange with him and to hear him enjoy a little chuckle...
So, as we all drove home after our visit with James and Etta, I was so tired. When I noticed something peculiar on the side of the road, I asked Mike about it. When I was mistaken by what I thought I had seen, I exclaimed, "I can't see anything without my shoes on!" HYSTERICAL! I will NEVER live this down! Mike then responded with, "Am I going to be checking you into a home next?" I have no idea where that came from...and just to answer the question on your mind, NO, I have never used drugs in my life....LOL. I am simply tired and my brain is usually fried by the end of the day. It was funny and I know I will hear about it many more times...Ahhhh. I can't wait to tell Etta about it. She will get a kick out of it.
Tomorrow is nail day...I am excited to bring Etta some new color options. The nail thing is perfect for our visits. There isn't always something to talk about and this activity seems to help with those quiet moments...I told her I would try and come in the morning so I could do her hair right after she gets her morning bath and hair washed.
Mike and I delivered a new lift chair to Etta tonight. James already had a recliner given to him by a new friend I met after moving to the Laurel's. Now, Etta has a similar chair in the "lift model" so she isn't confined to her wheelchair all day. She told me it was comfortable and that she will enjoy resting or watching TV in it when she is "not busy socializing." She told me that the three men from Chestnut visited today. She said, "They "were all over me today...wanting me to run around with them!" She added that they went to the main dining hall where "someone pounded on the piano". She said she "sung as loud as possible and even danced a little too". I think she cracks herself up! She gets so much JOY out of these little outings to the other wing of the nursing home. It is such a gift to her...and such a gift to me. It warms my heart to hear her talk about her encounters with "the three men".
James continues to be content, especially with the new TV Mike installed in their room. While the doctors have treated him for reflux and allergies, he continues to spit up constantly. It is so disturbing and I pray that the problem can be identified soon so we can treat him appropriatly.
James has become very particular and likes his room tidy and to remain the same. At one point, I had moved his chair just a wee-bit to clean up some spit (yuck) when he directed me to move it back. Playing along with him, I budged the chair slightly. He directed me to move it more. This went on a few more times before I gave in and put it exactly where it was. It then seemed to click in his mind that I was playing with him and he looked up at me and smiled. Then, as clearly as I could, I looked him right in the eyes and said, "You sure are bossy!" He got a great laugh out of this. It was so nice to have that little exchange with him and to hear him enjoy a little chuckle...
So, as we all drove home after our visit with James and Etta, I was so tired. When I noticed something peculiar on the side of the road, I asked Mike about it. When I was mistaken by what I thought I had seen, I exclaimed, "I can't see anything without my shoes on!" HYSTERICAL! I will NEVER live this down! Mike then responded with, "Am I going to be checking you into a home next?" I have no idea where that came from...and just to answer the question on your mind, NO, I have never used drugs in my life....LOL. I am simply tired and my brain is usually fried by the end of the day. It was funny and I know I will hear about it many more times...Ahhhh. I can't wait to tell Etta about it. She will get a kick out of it.
Tomorrow is nail day...I am excited to bring Etta some new color options. The nail thing is perfect for our visits. There isn't always something to talk about and this activity seems to help with those quiet moments...I told her I would try and come in the morning so I could do her hair right after she gets her morning bath and hair washed.