My cousin, who I am responsible for, is in AL Secure Memory Care Unit. She has advanced mixed dementia. She doesn't recall much of anything that happens 5 minutes ago. She is in a wheelchair, but able to scoot around pretty well. She loves her roommate and calls her her best friend, though she doesn't know her name. She's been there about 9 months. My cousin gets great care there and I have no real complaints at this time, except that my cousin's eye glasses keep going missing. They normally turn up in the belongs of her roommate, who also has advanced dementia and I'm sure has no idea whether she or my cousin are hiding the eye glasses.
I don't know if my cousin is the one taking them off and leaving them in her roommates area or if someone else does it. At this point, I don't know that it matters. My cousin does't focus enough to read or watch tv, but I would think she still would like her glasses to see better. Unless, I ask, she doesn't know she wears glasses.
I've thought about rigging them up with a string to her wheelchair, but that sounds dangerous. Any suggestions. How could you put a tracking device on them?
I have the option of having her moved to a different room, but she loves her roommate. They are two of the most verbal residents and I would hate to make her sad just to keep her glasses.
Any suggestions? This must be a common problem. Other things get missing too, but I don't sweat those things.
TV and other things aren't really an issue in my cousin's wing, because I think her roommate is the only one who knows how to turn one on. My cousin lost interest and doesn't watch it anymore, but the sound doesn't seem to bother her. She's pretty easy to get along with most of the time.
Your cousin is so lucky to have you--so refreshing to hear a story of caregiving that has love shining through it. Most of us struggle with the day-to-day..but you sound so upbeat and sweet. God bless you!
I'm hoping they will put her back on Cymbalta. That seemed to make her much more content. Whenever I walk into her room she burst into tears. She tells me she loves me repeatedly. She seems to take comfort when I tell her that everything is okay and that I have taken care of all problems. There are no problems. She is just worried and upset, but doesn't know why. I explain that her medication needs adjusting and then she'll feel better. Of course, she forgets that within1 minute.
I am lucky she has a roommate who is verbal like her. As much as my cousin loves me and loves for me to visit, when I was with her in her room, she rolled away from me in her wheelchair over to her roommates side of the room and ask her if she was okay. I'm glad she's got a friend there.
I have been through this issue with my mom who has dementia and is in a NH. I worked closely with the social worker who helped develop a team approach to keeping track of the glasses! I put them on a cord that hangs around her neck and used a small label to label the side arm. I chose a cord that was meant for sunglasses and is a bright color (got from Dollar Store) so easy to spot. I also bought a sunglasses case from Dollar Store that we could write on in permanent ink. Put a note on the case to please put the glasses on medication cart at bedtime. Social worker informed all CNAs and nurses of the plan, which was to put mom's glasses on cart when she goes to bed, and then retrieve them from cart when getting her ready in morning. It took awhile to get the system in place but it has helped keep track really well. Best of luck!
You might consider getting multiple backup glasses from Zenni. I've had good experience there - there are other online vendors that I'm sure are fine.
You can buy them as low as $6.95 for prescription glasses, and they look great.
I keep a couple pair at work and at home.
When we were in the hall, I would point at things and ask what they said. She was able to read OFFICE and it was at least 8 feet away from her. So, I guess, I'll have to accept it.
If you read tips for helping your loved one with dementia be more comfortable, they always say to make sure they can see well and have their glasses available. I guess she sees well enough. She may see better than she has in a long time, since her blood sugar is very well controlled now.
The reason I think it might be her hiding her glasses, is that when I go to visit I find that she has placed her 2 baby dolls on the bed of her roommate. When I explain they are her dolls and show her that her name is written on the dolls feet and neck, she seems shocked. I also have found some pictures that I had posted on her closet door had been torn down, ripped up and hidden in her drawers. So, I think she may be doing it. Of course, she doesn't realize it and has no memory of it. She loves the pictures. I know it's just her brain is not working right.
It sounds like she's happy and receiving good care. I'd chalk the glasses dilemma up to one of those annoying things that are just to be tolerated. I wouldn't consider moving her, since she likes her roommate. In those kinds of facilities, that's a HUGE blessing by itself!
Oh, she doesn't seem to need reading glasses. She doesn't read on her own, but if I ask her to she still can. But, seeing at a distance is her issue. I like for her to be able to look our of her window if she wanted to. It's a lovely scene with grass, trees, birds, etc. She doesn't seem to notice it though.