Tuesday Jan 8, 2008 observations

Took dinner in and our family ate with Mom and Dad
Observations: Dad seems to be getting around (walking)better than on Sunday. He indicated that he had been over medicating himself with his new Parkinson's medication and Cheryl had worked it out. Other items
1) Dad indicated he had lost his key to his mailbox. He wondered how to get a new one. I though we could look for it before trying to obtain a new one. I looked around and didn't see it. Let's keep looking.


Everything else seemed well

Dad's Neurology Appointment

I took dad to Dr. Steffens at the U of U and he has changed some of his medication to address the problem of his "early morning falls" recently. Also, he has added a patch to deliver "doppa" directly to the cells. It will take a few weeks to see how he will react to the new meds but I hope this will address the falling problem since it is so dangerous. Carolyn said they noticed an improvement in the tremor in his hands as early as Sunday when they came to dinner but Linda said that he fell again on Monday morning - the walker ended up on top of him. He says that he fell sideways and hit the wall which is probably why he did not get hurt this time. I asked him if he was made of rubber and then he laughed. Humor is always good. He doesn't appear to be hurt this time but when Linda took him to get his replacement drivers license he was having trouble walking and had to hold on to her. So I will keep a close eye on him and call Dr. Steffens if this does not stop.

By the way, you all need to pick up the book "Another Country" (Navigating the Emotional Terrain of our Elders). The author is Mary Pipher, PH.D. It is a New York Times Bestseller. I got mine at Borders. It is such a well written book. It is not boring as you might think it would be, but tries to give us a better understanding of our parents. It is a "field guide to old age, combining personal stories with social theory." Rich in stories and full of detail, it is a well-written and a sensitive investigation of aging. Not a boring how-to book but a how-to-think book. Please get this and read it. You will like it. She writes: "Nothing in our culture guides us in a positive way toward the old. Our media, music, and advertising industries all glorify the young. Stereotypes suggest that older people keep younger people from fun, work, and excitement. They take time (valuable time) and patience (in very short supply in our culture). We are very body oriented, and old bodies fail. We are appearance-oriented, and youthful attractiveness fades. We are not taught that old spirits often shimmer with beauty."

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Mom and Dad came to dinner at Dallis and Carolyn's house. They were able to see their Great Grandaughter Hannah Noel Stringham for the first time.

Christmas with the Christensens

June and Dallis spent Christmas Eve with Ray and Linda and Christmas morning at the Zurcher's. They opened presents and had breakfast with the family. Thursday, December 27, was the annual family Christmas dinner. After having a conference call with Janet and all other siblings about the needs of June and Dallis, the dinner was at Koyo restaurant. Grandpa treated everyone! We then went to Grandma and Grandpa's house, opened gifts and had a great time.

Just a reminder about meals:
Monday and Friday lunch—Linda
Tuesday dinner—Dallis & Carolyn
Wednesday dinner—Zurchers
Thursday dinner—Kris & John
This will start Wednesday, January 2nd. If you can't do your day, make sure you call and get a substitute ahead of time if possible. If not, then make sure Mom and Dad are notified that you will not be there, as they will be depending on and looking forward to your visit. Also remember to eat with them rather than drop off the food since they need the company as well as the nutrition.