Hello All, 

It’s been quite a while since we’ve given an update about Ashley. Starting around Christmas, and then through the whole month of January, it was quite honestly one of the most draining months so far. The transition of getting Ash into her new living situation, dealing with her guardianship and court dates, and all while being very very sick through the whole month of January was just A LOT to deal with. But we all made it though!!! 

So how is Ash doing? She is actually doing really well considering. She is in a beautiful and loving facility in Beloit just around the corner from our niece’s House. Of course, nothing is ever easy or smooth, and we had some devastating news right before she was going into assisted living. In WI anyone with a medical power attorney over them cannot go into assisted living, only memory care. I guess the state thinks that anyone with an activated medical POA needs more care than assisted living provides. So, she had to go to the memory care side, which definitely has more of a nursing home feel when you walk in. So that was hard news for her and we were so so worried that she would reject that living arrangement. 

BUT… She is doing so great there! It’s the happiest we have seen her, in a very long time. Her meds have helped TREMENDOUSLY with many of her psychological symptoms and her memory is even a bit clearer SOME days. She is usually accepting of her diagnosis and will tell you she has it, but not always  believe or understand how it causes her disability. Surpisingly though, she will admit that she has memory problems most days. This is the magic of Memory Care. She feels safe and taken care of, every one of her constant needs are being met with consistency and repetition, AND…she gets to keep her room at 80 degrees 24/7. There are lots of young people on staff that she gets to interact with all day. And the directors there are absolutely amazing with her. Everyone just loves her of course! She has even been helping with the older patients and has a particular one that she loves dearly. Sometimes she accidentally calls the facility her “work”. 🥰 We, along with friends and family, take her out all the time, and visit her multiple times a week. It’s taking a village, but we are all trying to give her the best life possible with what she has been dealt. 

It’s really a miracle, and she has adjusted better than we could have hoped for. Most days when we take her out and about, she is always happy to go back to her new home when it’s time. So, we are in a good place psychologically, behaviorally, and mood wise.

But…she is experiencing more and more physical hardships. Most days, she moves and walks pretty slowly. And, she is needing more and more assistance with bathing, etc…But, she is handling the need for assistance and help really well. 

Ashley is able and willing to have people visit her and also take her on short outings. She also has freedom with and access to her phone now. So if anyone would like to text, call her, FB or Instagram message her, visit her, or take her out, we welcome any and all family and friends who are comfortable in doing so. We do ask though that anyone wanting to visit or take her out, reach out to us first. We have to approve visits and also there are some details we would obviously like to share with you before doing so. 

Once again, Thank you for loving Ash and for being part of her life.