My parents now live in a retirement/assisted living home. It is beautiful there.
I go once a month for four days. I like to be there 24/7 with them and to observe things.
Mealtimes are awesome - our dinner company includes my parents, Bill and Marilyn, Elaine, Doris, and Della. The routine is pretty simple. Those using walkers (Doris and Della) park them neatly by the wall - out of the way. Marilyn and mom use wheelchairs, which are easily pulled up to the table.
Dinner conversations are hysterical at times. It would be a stand up comics dream venue - they would only need one full routine and just repeat it each night. I may try to come up with a 30 minute one.
One night the talk was about frozen blueberries and lasted 45 minutes. There is hard of hearing, difficulty speaking, and forgetfulness. These alone make it very interesting.
Sometimes rumors get started. Someone asked where the piano went - it disappeared. One report is that the old receptionist took it. Why did the chef get fired? He came in drunk too many times. I suggested that they need a gossip board for sharing of information like this.
One man told me he goes to 5 funerals per week - I think he meant per month. I saw him take a banana from the kitchen inside his shirt.
EVERY time after each meal, Elaine gives mom a hug and they say "I love you" to each other. If mom stops at the mailbox, Elaine gives her her hug there instead of at the elevator. Mom always gets two hugs if this occurs, as when they get to the elevator Elaine forgot she already hugged her. Every time they get on the elevator to say goodbye to Elaine, my dad says"Go straight home" and Elaine replies "I am going to zig zag all the way home".
I LOVE hearing the greetings - "how was your day today", "we missed you at lunch today", and "how wonderful you look today". These social interactions that we take for granted are paramount to life quality in the elderly.
God bless old folks - keep their lives interesting and vibrant.
