Mother's Visit With Granddaddy

Mother went down yesterday to visit Granddaddy and check in on his progress while the normal Monday - Friday staff was there.

She watched him from outside of his therapy room, the doctor having released him to put weight on his leg now, they had him walking. When he realized mother was there, he let the therapist know that he HAD to visit with her.

She noticed that Brother John had bought a new wallet for him, (his was washed in the coat pocket of the suit they ruined), and commented on it. Nosey one that she is (joke between my sister and I), she went through it. The nursing home has requested that they do not carry cash, credit cards, driver's license, due to the risk of identity theft and just plain theft. Their staff is thoroughly checked out, but they choose to omit the temptation all together. Anyway, mother discovered that he had $48.00 in his wallet. She tried to take it away from him, and told him he was not allowed to have it, but he insisted that he may need to buy something. Not being allowed to drive was devastating enough, but now he isn't allowed to carry money ? He pinched that money HARD and crammed it back in his wallet and said "I may need this, and I'm keeping it."....GO GRANDDADDY !!!!!!

I told mother, if you would simply explain to him WHY they don't want the residents to have it, he would probably be just fine with the idea, but this came at him as if he weren't CAPABLE of handling money.

I told her also, that he still has his mind. Most of his dignity has been robbed from him, and whether he is able to live alone or not, he is still a man, and he knows what is going on around him. If he is able to walk again, he is eligible for assisted living, and better yet, if he is walking - we can bring him here, which plans are already in the works for that anyway.

It is difficult for her to see him like this, but I go behind her constantly and explain things to him...and I know he appreciates it. I have a soft spot for the elderly. Especially the elderly that are in the same place in their lives that he is. In college, some of my many term papers and speeches were on this very thing. Nursing home care, dementia, family responsibility for elderly, and recognizing emotions of stroke patients.

With everything else aside, he is my Granddaddy, and I am fortunate that he is still here, and I love him. I just don't want to EVER see his feelings hurt.

I will make the drive again next weekend, and count down the days until we're able to bring him home for good.