Care Conference

I wanted to update you on what was discussed at my mom's Care Conference (a meeting where everyone involved with her gives input as to what the next steps to take are).

The conference was on Wednesday, but for some reason I didn't feel like writing about it that day. So you're stuck with slightly late information, but don't worry, you didn't miss much!

Everyone went around the room and talked about the progress my mom has been making in the rehab unit (she's building up strength, remembering a little more, going to activities....) and it was discussed that she got a 19 on a Mini-MME test. I know what that test is, it measures her cognitive ability. I'm not really sure what the 19 means, as far as how bad is she, but that was on the very first day that she was in the nursing home, too, and so I'm sure things have gotten somewhat better since then....and on some test that they do to check a person's balance, I guess they determined that my mom is at risk for falling. That was kind of shocking, as she never wanted to use her walker at all, even after breaking her hip, and she seemed to do pretty well. So apparently she's not doing as well in that regard as I thought she was.

Then, they asked me what I thought. I told them that I thought that the assisted living apartments could probably provide the care she needs, with the exception of the security thing. My mom wandered into someone else's apartment, confused. She also (according to her), "opened up a big door, but it was really really cold, so I closed it.", which means that she was on the brink of being outside in -20 weather. If she had gone outside, she wouldn't have been able to go back in, as the entry/exit doors are secure, so you need a key to get in (my mom doesn't use a key, because the only time she ever leaves the apartment, she is with someone who has one)...anyhow....

I made the point that even though I don't think it'll happen again, there is always a chance. And knowing that, we need to have some kind of system in place to make sure that if it does happen again, someone will know right away, like an alarm that signals a pager or something. They are not sure if that is allowed or not, going to find out. I said we would pay for it, that seemed to help a little....

Anyhow, nothing really came of the Care Conference, except that the physical and occupational therapists are going to start working with my mom in her own apartment to see how she does there. I hope she does ok. I really do.

I'll keep you posted.