Developments

Shortly after going back home my mom decided she didn't like being there without use of a car.  (Never mind that she never went anywhere except her senior center and the store, both of which we found ways of getting her to...)  She "felt like a prisoner" in her home and decided she wanted to move to a senior living community.  I am actually very happy for her and feel she has made a good decision.  I think she'll be happier somewhere she can see more people daily.  She enjoyed staying with us and if it had been possible we might have made that semi-permanent.  But with no real bedroom or bath on the main floor it wasn't practical here.  Marianne's house would have been better but for the dogs.  They are big enough to knock into her and she is none too steady on her feet as it is.  So the senior community is a good choice.  It's jarringly expensive and her ability to get used to the routines there is questionable.  But she has a room reserved and moves next weekend.  Why do I feel as if I'm sending one of my children off to college?

Update

Norma is still at our house recovering.  She spent a few nights in the hospital, and now is living here.  She may not go home but to assisted living.  We're still looking.

Happy New Year

New Years Eve was a bit unusual.  We got a call from the medical alarm company just before 7 am.  Norma had activated her alarm.  We rushed over and found her on the floor.  She appeared unhurt, but pretty sick.  We ended up calling the paramedics and having her taken to the hospital.  Most of her test results came out fine, though there was an indication she had a bleeding ulcer.  It took almost 8 hours before they decided to keep her and do more tests.  Now we understand it really is a bleeding ulcer and she'll be in the hospital for a few days while they get her back to health.  Marianne and I will be using that time to decide if she can still live alone.  Meanwhile she's mad as hell to be sitting in a hospital bed hooked up to tubes and wires.  Happy new year all.