I admitted mom to the nursing home last week Tuesday. I was expecting a whole lot of talk back and negative vibes from her; however, it was a smooth transition. I did tell her that she was there to do some tests to see how she meshes with living with other seniors so that maybe one day she will be able to move into a senior community. I believe she doesn't realize where she is and that's ok with me. I've been there 3 times since admission and she seems fine. She's doing therapy sessions for her speech, eating her meals and wandering around the building. Of course she has a GPS locator on, but she seems fine.
My family and I are trying to figure out how to incorporate the holiday with her without overwhelming her. In the past few years, she has not truly noticed the holiday until we toldl her. Last Christmas, she slept through the entire day. I believe it is too soon to take her away for the day, she needs to get accustomed to her new residence. Every time I visit I take her a little treat with her name on it and her face lights up. She always liked getting gifts. She even told me she loved me when I was leaving yesterday...long time since I heard that from her. She has a roommate so there's not a lot of space in her area and their door is already decorated by the NH for the holidays.
Just looking for ideas as to how to chill with my mom. I'm transitioning back to my single-life while she's transitioning to her new space. It's going to take some time for me to realize that she's not home with me, but the good thing is she is only 15-20 min away.
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Maybe bring a special favorite dish of Mom’s. Keep it low-key and follow Mom’s lead.
Is the NH doing Christmas music, like a sing-a-long? Your mom might enjoy that. Christmas music takes many of us back to our childhoods.
Check with the activities sheet in the NH and see what things they have planned. They won't Christmas slip by without celebrating. Holidays are a big deal in a NH.
The other thing to consider, of course, is how to schedule in visiting your mother without completely disrupting the family holiday. Will you all go to see her, or just one or two of you?
Ask the NH staff if there is anything special happening so that you can fit in around their arrangements. If they do organise events it will be an excellent opportunity for your mother to bed in nicely to her new home, and it might even be better for you to keep a low(ish) profile.