Visited Joe Thursday @ dinnertime - finishing soup, graham cracker chocolate pie, milk. Went to dollar store to get hand sanitizer....staff employee Kima (Nepalese woman who also exercises at HAC) provided a container of hand wipes to use in his room...while his speech seems to me to be slower in forming sentences, Joe coherent & going twice a day to rehab.
Provided photocopies from Casio Ravine phone manual so he can use speaker phone, flashlight, & how to respond to call waiting in case an incoming call while already on line. Gravity keeps lowering his feet to edge of bed - helped him stand using WALKER to reposition towards head of bed. Says his safety socks slipping - could only stand for a few seconds. Has a stretch band & 3 pages of exercises to perform if he so chooses - in wheelchair, on bed.... Says others unable to locate his Trident tablet - there is WiFi at CECA Guest password C3ca@amherst - but nursing station desk allowed me to use CECAA password CoffeeJ! to access online- last Saturday Joe read all postings here to that time....
I visited Joe this afternoon. He told me several other people from the swim club and aqua aerobics had also been in to see him earlier. I told him that there was an NFL game at 8:20 tonight on NBC. The Falcons vs the Eagles. He seemed in good spirits.
I talked with Joe last evening, and he was very present and clear. He was working with a physical therapist which he seemed to enjoy. He expressed interest in pictures of New Mexico where I am now. If anyone has a photo of the singing group, his garden, friends, etc. I think he would enjoy seeing them. Thanks to all who are visiting, now that he is in Amherst, he is closer to friends!
I reminded Joe on Wednesday 9.5.18 that it would be best if he changes his old hygiene habits to help prevent future infections like those he's had in recent months. Don't eat with hands unless they're very clean. If he needs a toothpick (common) then a new, single-use toothpick is needed, then throw it away. A piece of paper or whatever else might fit between teeth is not a good idea. Do not reuse dirty utensils; same with cups or glasses that have been sitting with beverages in them for hours, etc. etc. Keep hands away from mouth, etc. Those of us who visit him can monitor him and encourage him to change. He seemed agreeable to this on Wednesday afternoon on phone. His speech was not slurred the. Maybe he was tired when you saw him, Jerry?
Elizabeth,
I have not yet, got the gout (ouchie, can't walk).
That may have been the other Chad, frm ?meeting?
I'm frm Amherst Area Gospel Choir'n Senior Ctr meals.
- -Chad F.
http://cache.vzw.com/multimedia/mim/casio_ravine2/ravine2_manual.pdf
While Joe was resting i BORROWED his phone & rode my bike to nearest Verizon store, and they deciphered the fact that Joe's cellphone is a Casio Ravine. Above link is to manual . I tried to set-up his voicemail - anyone with tech capabilities who can demonstrate how he can access voicemail,text, etc. please do so! Whether having his laptop computer &/or tablet is SAFE to possess while in a public space Center-For-Extended-Care provides its residents...
having access to email,having to functionally operate digitally might be a physically-challenging exercise that would stimulate neurons & allow Joe to communicate online as well as impel him to manipulate a keyboard - thus directing his attention to focus on describing how he is perceiving how well he thinks he is doing - his speech seemed slurred Tuesday evening... perhaps he will agree to repeatedly going through phone menu operations so he can answer phone calls,review voicemails & messages,learn to delete so as not to overload inbox preventing further communication...
Not sure what visiting hours are - there is a code required to enter AFTER HOURS
Provided photocopies from Casio Ravine phone manual so he can use speaker phone, flashlight, & how to respond to call waiting in case an incoming call while already on line. Gravity keeps lowering his feet to edge of bed - helped him stand using WALKER to reposition towards head of bed. Says his safety socks slipping - could only stand for a few seconds. Has a stretch band & 3 pages of exercises to perform if he so chooses - in wheelchair, on bed.... Says others unable to locate his Trident tablet - there is WiFi at CECA Guest password C3ca@amherst - but nursing station desk allowed me to use CECAA password CoffeeJ! to access online- last Saturday Joe read all postings here to that time....