Thursday, May 1, 2008

Mom's New Home.



This is the stitch and bitch area as you come in the door. It is where residents meet to chat and a couple times a week a knitting club meets here.





Mom moved into her new home yesterday. Things went pretty well. I did keep my sister and mom from killing each other which was a good thing. Told sis to take a deep breath several times and it worked.



This is the library








This is the game room where they have game nights. Bridge Club is Friday nights. Scrabble club meets daily.










This is the media room where they can watch movies or gather together to watch TV shows that are popular among the residents.







In addition to the regular dining room they have a 50's style cafe
where they can go to to read, indulge in ice cream, drink coffee, and listen to the juke box.







This is the 50 style's cafe.








This is a private dining room where residents can have private dinner meetings with family and friends. This is a free service.








This is the coffee bar open 24 hours a day. They quit serving leaded coffee at 5 and don't do the full coffee impact again until 6 the next morning.







This is the dining room where the regular meals are served. Guests can join the residents at anytime for three bucks a meal.





Now on to Mom's apartment.


This is mom's bedroom and bed.









This is still Mom's bedroom where she can look out the window from her bed to see mountains and trees.







This is mom's dining room in her apartment.










This is mom's living room. If she decides to stay here for good we will bring her 32 inch tv from home.





Sis, Her husband, Mom, and I had dinner there the meal was gourmet all the way.So what does everyone think of Mom's new digs? Didn't Sis do a great job of decorating? Thanks everyone for their good thoughts and prayers, keep them coming because I really think this will be better for mom if she lets it be!

18 comments:

Bev Sykes said...

Wow, Bill--what a beautiful looking place. I love that it's so bright and airy. How does your mom like it?

William J. said...

Hi Bev

It is interesting that you mentioned the bright and airiness of it. I looked at over thirty assisted living centers and elimined in excess of twenty of them due to the lighting. I wanted a positive atomsphere.

Jury is still out on Mom but she has only been there one day so there is hope.

Bill

Mary Z said...

Do they have any extra rooms, Bill? We might want to put in a reservation. It does look great and, like Bev said, so full of light. It's similar to the great facility where my aunt lives in South Texas. With lots of activities available.

I know it was stressful for all concerned, so now it's time to take a deep breath and let things settle for a bit.

I know you'll be talking to Mom on the phone, but I hope you won't be going over there for a while.

William J. said...

Mary Z

The name of the company that owns the facility is SunWest and they own several facilities in Texas, maybe even the one where you aunt is.

Monday morning I am getting in the car and taking off for Ashland with no set plans when to come back.

Sis and her husband are going back to Utah tomorrow Morning. I've lined up visitors other than myself for Saturday. I am going to make sure I don't go ver very often because I want to force her to get out and do things.

Last night they came in at eight and checked on Mom and checked her blood pressure. I guess they do that every night. What a mind relief that is going to be fore me.

Bill

Anonymous said...

The place looks lovely. Good for you and for Mom.

Pushing them out into the world is hard, whether they are children or parents.

I think you are right about not being too available at first. When my younger daughter went to college, I got to the point where I gave her a separate ring on my cellphone and then let her message go to voicemail. (I could do that because she could text in an emergency.) I then would call her back--but not for a while. She adjusted much better with this policy.

After a month or so, the policy was no longer necessary. She was happier and so was I.

William J. said...

Hi Ellen

In a lot of ways I have become my mom's parent. I've always admired the parents that you and Rob are and have been so I am going to take your always sound advise.

I think what you did with your daughter was great. I heard a quote once, "the object of the teacher is to allow the student to get along without the teacher."

You do have two amazing daughters.

Bill

Pat said...

It looks like a wonderful place, Bill. So many amenities! And a whole apartment, not just a room, will make it better. Or so I thought when I installed my mom in a "suite" at first. After a while, she said everybody else had just a room & bath, and that was what she wanted, too. Fine with me, as it was cheaper.

You're wise to take off for a while, and to not plan to be there all the time. Since I've had to curtail my visits for a while, I've learned that I don't have to be there every day, let alone twice a day. Mom seems every bit as happy and healthy with 2 times a week visits, and I'm sure I will be, too. Let your mom settle in and keep your fingers crossed. Mine will be crossed for you, too.

William J. said...

Hi, Pat

Actually Pat one of mom's complaint was that it was a one bedroom and not a studio and she wanted to tryout a studio. However, for respite care they are giving the one bedroom to her for the same price as a studio. Seems like a good deal to me. If she decides to stay there for good then we can look at a studio. However, one of the problems is mom has a hard time walking a long distance and all the studios are a long ways from the dining and game rooms.

Pat, I'm glad you curtailed your visits so you can take care of yourself and get some time to do things for yourself. As always you will be my role model with my Mom.

Thanks for crossing your fingers!

Bill

Mary Z said...

My aunt lives at John Knox Village - it's not managed by Sunwest. Here's a link to it...

http://www.johnknoxvillagergv.com/

Mary said...

It does look really nice, I wouldn't mind living there myself! Fingers crossed that your mom lets herself like it. Have a fun and safe trip!

Pat said...

So funny that your mom also just wants a studio! Our moms must have been separated at birth. And yes, distance to dining room can be a real problem. My mom was really fast with her walker, but she always wanted to be closer to the dining room. And so did everyone else, so those rooms cost more. We almost got her moved once, but she decided she liked the room she was in and wanted to stay there.

Fingers still crossed.

William J. said...

Hi Mary Z

That looks like a great place!

Bill

William J. said...

Hi Mary

Hope you have recovered from tax season!

They are really treating Mom well. They came by last night before she went to bed and tested her blood pressure and did so again this morning we she got up. They told her that if she got some where and got to tired to walk back from her apartment they would get her motorized wheelchair for her or push he in her walker to her apartment. The worry is so much less for me.

Bill

William J. said...

Hi Pat

We have often said we have the same mom!

Do keep your fingers crossed.

Bill

Lady DR said...

Bill, this looks like a fabulous place. Maybe I should get my name on the reservation list. Her apartment is lovely and the common rooms all look so inviting, I suspect your Mom will be drawn to them and the people, particularly as you plan to make yourself "least in sight" for the first little bit, which I think is a great plan.

Sounds like they have a good and caring staff and that's a big part of relieving your concerns and making you mom more comfortable. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping she discovers life there has all kinds of benefits.

Now, my dear, get the car packed and go out and have some fun!

William J. said...

Hi DR

Already Mom has went to an ice cream social and is playing bridge tonight. The people there are very caring and are really watching out for her.

Keep your fingers crossed!

I'm on the road first thing Monday! Home for Mothers' Day weekend and the on the road again!

Bill

Sian said...

This looks great Bill. I hope your mom will be very happy there and it all works out for everyone. I love the '50s style cafe and please tell me the juke box plays rock and roll? Tee Hee! Fingers crossed.....

William J. said...

Sian

It has all types of music, quite a bit of rock and roll, some swing, and a few classical songs.

Bill