Author

Thomas Wiest

CEO, Aspirience Home Care

This past week has been a turning point in our life. An unexpected turn that came sooner than our family expected. It has been one of many emotional, psychological and at times, physically challenging, ups and downs.

As some of you know, my Mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease some years ago.

But, let me preface this chapter in our life with some history about Mom.

In the early stages of the disease, my Mom was always pretty self sufficient. She could do as she pleased with some care with the occasional forgetfulness of such as misplacing your car keys or other. You could be in discussion with her over any topic and she would ask whether she had told you something that she just told you?!? It was kind of perplexing and frustrating to the coherent of mind but, understandable to the goodwill of our human nature.

You know, it was a kind of peace, to know that is was only Alzheimer’s she was diagnosed with and not something else. There are so many different diseases that her forgetfulness could have lead to, it was a kind of peace to know it was a more common disease that more of the population had heard of. However, I wanted to research and teach myself more about this disease and glad I did.

She stayed at home with Dad for several enjoyable years during this time.

Though things worsened though Dad did a phenomenal job caring for her at home. Most days were good but, some were challenging. However, it was coming to the point, as it took its toll on him; she eventually was going to be put in a nursing home. Well, the day came when Dad called us three kids up and said the time was right to move her.

You know, it was a kind of peace, when she went into the nursing home. It was peace of mind for our family that she was being cared for 24/7 by professionals. It was also a form of peace that Dad would not have to worry about her certain type of care and well being at home without help.

At first, it was tough. I remember Dad having to give the nursing home instructions on how he wanted the care plan done for Mom over certain things such as her colostomy. That was consumer direction at its best. It was almost humorous to hear some of the stories of the nursing home taking care of Mom as they had never had to deal with a resident with a colostomy before. Oh, and don’t get Dad started on how hard they were on her clothes when they wash and dried them. We were buying her new outfits all the time. What a learning curve for both sides!

Mom stayed there for just over two years. Dad visited mom just about every day, too. The nursing home put on events for the residents all the time. Bingo, singers, musicians, ice cream socials (that dad always helped with), clown and magic acts, local Scouts coming by to sing Christmas carols, church was held at various times during the week, etc. The nursing home even had its own dog, employee ID badge attached to its collar and all. A gentle, caring yellow lab named Buckshot.

Needless to say, they kept the place active for the residents.

Last Thursday, May 31^st, I woke up at my usual time, grabbed a cup of coffee and went downstairs to my office. The phone rang about 6:00am and it was Dad telling us Mom had just passed away. The nursing home staff was helping her get comfortable in her bed just before this. She took a deep breath, grasped for air; they knew something had just happened. They called Dad and asked him to come down to the nursing home right away. She took her last breath as he entered her room a few minutes later. She died of a massive heart attack. People don’t die from Alzheimer’s; they die from complications from something else. Hers happened to be a heart attack.

You know, it was a kind of peace, when she passed away. Peace knowing that she is in a much, much better place today. Peace that our family can rest our hearts, minds and bodies knowing this, too.

It’s good to know, Aspirience Home Care can help you find that kind of peace with home care.