Something to smile about
Hey all!
This will be short, but I wanted to keep you all in the loop on what WE (the non-medical professionals) have been doing to help Dad along. After two months of staring at the same walls and hearing the same beeps and hummms and looking out the window at the gray March weather Dad is beginning to head into the gloomy emotional state that the rest of us would have hit six weeks ago! This, I am sure you all know, is NOT something we want to have happen.
So, along with the more aggressive treatments that he is going to get from the hospital staff, we are all starting a more aggressive campaign to cheer up Dad. This is not as simple as you may think... What do you do to perk up a guy who wants nothing more than to be home in his garden, taking walks, and living the quiet, dignified life he has built for himself? Instead he is stuck indoors, being poked and proded by strangers. This is where we need your help. ANY suggestions? We sent him flowers today - which he really seemed to like. We are planning to cover up the ugly painting in his room today or tomorrow with something more interesting. We are also bringing back in the cd player he had before - so he can try listening to music and NPR again.
He doesn't seem to WANT to do anything (which I don't blame him for...) but I think that maybe he SHOULD do something. If you have any ideas of what might peak his interest, please let us know and we will give it a shot.
Sigh. This week has been a rough one - but I hope it is also a turning point. Of course, only time will tell. As always, keep up the prayers!
Amy
This will be short, but I wanted to keep you all in the loop on what WE (the non-medical professionals) have been doing to help Dad along. After two months of staring at the same walls and hearing the same beeps and hummms and looking out the window at the gray March weather Dad is beginning to head into the gloomy emotional state that the rest of us would have hit six weeks ago! This, I am sure you all know, is NOT something we want to have happen.
So, along with the more aggressive treatments that he is going to get from the hospital staff, we are all starting a more aggressive campaign to cheer up Dad. This is not as simple as you may think... What do you do to perk up a guy who wants nothing more than to be home in his garden, taking walks, and living the quiet, dignified life he has built for himself? Instead he is stuck indoors, being poked and proded by strangers. This is where we need your help. ANY suggestions? We sent him flowers today - which he really seemed to like. We are planning to cover up the ugly painting in his room today or tomorrow with something more interesting. We are also bringing back in the cd player he had before - so he can try listening to music and NPR again.
He doesn't seem to WANT to do anything (which I don't blame him for...) but I think that maybe he SHOULD do something. If you have any ideas of what might peak his interest, please let us know and we will give it a shot.
Sigh. This week has been a rough one - but I hope it is also a turning point. Of course, only time will tell. As always, keep up the prayers!
Amy
posted by Amy @ 2:13 PM
7 Comments:
At 8:15 PM,
Anonymous said…
Just off the top of my head:
Bulletin Board with family pictures especially the grandchildren. Have grandchildren draw pictures, color pictures or whatever their talents lead them. Pictures of his garden, etc. Post humorous get well cards if he rec'd any of this type. A lap blanket that was home-made or one he used at home. If I think of any more will add later. Give him a hug from me. Love, Mary Therese
At 8:22 PM,
Anonymous said…
Just another thought. Does he like to play cribbage or any other card games? Is he allowed to have brief visits with the grandchildren? Grandma loved to play cribbage and always was a big boost to her.
Love, Teesie
At 11:50 PM,
Emily said…
A response to Aunt Teesie -- yes, we do bring in the grandkids whenever possible! They wear him out quickly but he definitely smiles more when they're around. And he likes cards but doesn't have many takers to play with him, so when we brought him the laptop the first thing we installed was his card games software (before we installed the tax software, etc.) which he loves at home (he likes the trash-talk from the other players!). I'm not sure how much he's used it, but it's definitely something we encourage!
At 1:47 PM,
Anonymous said…
I am writing from CA - here with Kathy's family to visit Karen's family.
From Karen: Does he have access to a VCR? Your talented family could record a "Variety Show" for him, or record each others' stories of favorite or funny times with your family.
From me: Just record the daily activity of the grandkids. (I love when Karen sends me hers.) The sound of giggling children can't be beat for good medicine!
Have Little Mary (or any of the other grandkids who read) record a story to him .
If all else fails, one of my daughters said: "Send him a stripper!" :) (That will either perk him up or do him in for good!:) Kathy said to make sure I told you SHE wasn't the one to suggest that one! :)
Do the grandkids play "Memory" or "Concentration?" The kids made up matching photos for us for our anniversary. It is great fun with the little ones because you can talk about the people and events in the pictures as you play.
We'll keep thinking.
Love, hugs, and prayers from all of us.
Aunt Carol
At 1:47 PM,
Anonymous said…
I am writing from CA - here with Kathy's family to visit Karen's family.
From Karen: Does he have access to a VCR? Your talented family could record a "Variety Show" for him, or record each others' stories of favorite or funny times with your family.
From me: Just record the daily activity of the grandkids. (I love when Karen sends me hers.) The sound of giggling children can't be beat for good medicine!
Have Little Mary (or any of the other grandkids who read) record a story to him .
If all else fails, one of my daughters said: "Send him a stripper!" :) (That will either perk him up or do him in for good!:) Kathy said to make sure I told you SHE wasn't the one to suggest that one! :)
Do the grandkids play "Memory" or "Concentration?" The kids made up matching photos for us for our anniversary. It is great fun with the little ones because you can talk about the people and events in the pictures as you play.
We'll keep thinking.
Love, hugs, and prayers from all of us.
Aunt Carol
At 8:17 PM,
Sarah said…
LOL at the stripper idea! I mentioned that to him and got a smile out of him. He agreed that he'd die of mortification!
He does have his computer card game and has played it a bit but says it isn't the same as on his computer at home--the pictures are smaller and not as clear and the mouse too sensitive (which I'll fix as soon as I get my hands on the computer). I offered to learn to play cribbage (and I HATE card games) so maybe I'll do that. I love the idea of making matching cards from photos! I tried word games tonight and he didn't take the bait.
Bringing in a blanket from home (or anything else "homey") will also probably help. I'll bug Mom to find some things to make his room more comfortable. AND to bring back in the pictures and cards--she took them down when he was moving rooms so frequently and never brought them back in. I'll see if I can find some pictures of his garden as well.
Tonight I asked the nurses if it would be possible to put him in a wheelchair instead of his regular chair so that we could take him down the hall, maybe out into the waiting area with the fishtank and real furniture, and they thought it was a good idea, so that will happen tomorrow. One of the nurses said she thought they could even take him outside if they get permission.
Sarah
At 12:00 PM,
Anonymous said…
The wheelchair is an EXCELLENT idea. Just to be able to see something different is so refreshing. Weather permitting it would be great to go outside. I know when I need a boost it helps just to go out in the yard. Good luck with your new adventure.
Love, Aunt Teesie
P.S. Wish I was there to play cribbage with him.
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