Robert is gone. He was my roommate for nine days. An eventful nine days. You see, he's suffering from dementia. And for the first 48 hours as my roommate, he was quite agitated. He neither slept, nor stayed in bed. Nor did he wear clothes, all that often - careening down the hallway with his bottom half naked, entering wrong rooms, while nearly escaping the confines.
By the third night, he slept a little bit. And that's the same night I discovered that he can't even hear the television, despite the volume being cranked up full bore during the previous 48 hours. So, because he's left, I slept. A little bit. During the prior two evenings I slept elsewhere. Literally. I slept in other places besides my bed.
After not having slept at all during the first night, I got up, got dressed, grabbed a bunch of blankets, then went outside to sleep around 5:00 a.m. and it was damn cold. 31°. But I wanted to prove a point. Or prove something.
The following night I tried sleeping in the cafeteria. Although it was warmer, the noise and successive interruptions did not make for very good sleeping. The kitchen people arrive bright and early. The laundry people are shuffling around opening and closing things. And then also, the residents in Unit 2 start yelling and moaning and making other intrusive sounds during those wee hours at odd intervals. Yes, that's where I used to live when I first moved here. Very very loud all the time.
As an aside, whenever Unit 1 is locked up (to prevent dementia patients from escaping), I have to take the long way around through Unit 2 in order to get back to my room. And passing down that hallway is quite unpleasant. It always reeks of urine, feces, rotten food, and leftover cigarette smoke. Basically, a hodgepodge of things I'd rather not inhale or ingest.
By the third night, my roommate started falling into a rhythm. And having activated the mute button on the television, I was able to squeeze in a couple of hours of sleep that I desperately needed. My aching body, my aching muscles, my aching everything, was punishing me.
There was only one incident wherein my roommate took off roaming the hallways at 2:00 a.m. After rounding him up several times during several escape attempts, he finally settled in for the rest of the morning.
So now, just like that, he resides in the dementia unit. For the memory care unit. Or whatever they call it. The locals here call it Sedona. That's the name of the unit. There's also the Renaissance unit. In part, those are the full lockdown units.
On day number six, we actually did have a thorough and enlightening conversation. As the days progressed, my former roommate actually began coming out of it. He asked me several questions regarding the previous five days. He wanted to know who the people were that were coming in and out of his room, specific people. So I explained things to him, this new person. And I went into greater detail regarding some of the events that took place, per his request. Prior to this, conversation was impossible.
So that's the end of that. We'll see who they stick with me next.
The Eyes Have It
I'm supposed to go to Walmart today to pick out prescription glass frames. My current glasses are broken in three different places, covered in blue duct tape, while also utilizing a bent paper clip for structural integrity. So really, I can't wear the damn things anymore.
I spoke with my doctor earlier in the week, explaining my intent. My desire to purchase cheap glasses. I already have the eye exam, here at the nursing home. So next, I simply needed to pick out the frames, something inexpensive.
As they require, I also made a formal request that I be allowed off property to go on my nearby excursion. It's required that I give the nursing home people 48 hours notice. And in turn, they respond by approving my request.
Well, my previous three requests have not been approved. However, they've also failed to mention whether or not I was allowed to leave the property in those instances either. I mean, they set up the system of checks and balances, but they're not following through with their end of the deal.
I won't get into my personal thoughts, right here or right now. I've got a secret agenda to maintain. My hidden nature. Something like that.
Suffice to say, I am going to Walmart today, no matter what anyone tells me. And I am bringing along my ex-wife. Why? Well, that brings to the fore an air of legitimacy. Someone to watch out for me. Someone to be responsible for me. At least In theory - theoretically. You know, a witness. And since she's my lone semi-occasional visitor, she's my only option for such an excursion. Not that I'm having any problems being around her (of late).
—--- Ughhh. This morning's CNA just came hustling into my room trying to get my blood pressure and other vital signs. I summarily refused. And I swear to the f****** heavens above, there's a note posted on my door explicitly requesting that I not be woken up between 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. And sure, I'm half awake right now, writing this entry, but I don't want my room lights on full wattage, especially considering there's no needs based reason. It's midnight dark out there, and I'd like to keep it midnight dark in here. And nope, the sun doesn't rise for another hour and a half.
And yes, this keeps happening. Apparently, those who go through extensive training as certified nursing assistants, do not necessarily know how to read words.
Anyway, that's my escape plan. Going to Walmart today. And if there are any repercussions, I shall willingly accept them. And I shall also enjoy my time spent with another human being, above and beyond staff members and nursing home residents.
Okay then, thank you for following along. I need to get back to sleep for a short while, as I fully intend to enjoy today's outstanding weather. It's supposed to be 76° and sunny. We had a very cold cold January, and now February is starting off quite mild.
Take care,
Howard
By the third night, he slept a little bit. And that's the same night I discovered that he can't even hear the television, despite the volume being cranked up full bore during the previous 48 hours. So, because he's left, I slept. A little bit. During the prior two evenings I slept elsewhere. Literally. I slept in other places besides my bed.
After not having slept at all during the first night, I got up, got dressed, grabbed a bunch of blankets, then went outside to sleep around 5:00 a.m. and it was damn cold. 31°. But I wanted to prove a point. Or prove something.
The following night I tried sleeping in the cafeteria. Although it was warmer, the noise and successive interruptions did not make for very good sleeping. The kitchen people arrive bright and early. The laundry people are shuffling around opening and closing things. And then also, the residents in Unit 2 start yelling and moaning and making other intrusive sounds during those wee hours at odd intervals. Yes, that's where I used to live when I first moved here. Very very loud all the time.
As an aside, whenever Unit 1 is locked up (to prevent dementia patients from escaping), I have to take the long way around through Unit 2 in order to get back to my room. And passing down that hallway is quite unpleasant. It always reeks of urine, feces, rotten food, and leftover cigarette smoke. Basically, a hodgepodge of things I'd rather not inhale or ingest.
By the third night, my roommate started falling into a rhythm. And having activated the mute button on the television, I was able to squeeze in a couple of hours of sleep that I desperately needed. My aching body, my aching muscles, my aching everything, was punishing me.
There was only one incident wherein my roommate took off roaming the hallways at 2:00 a.m. After rounding him up several times during several escape attempts, he finally settled in for the rest of the morning.
So now, just like that, he resides in the dementia unit. For the memory care unit. Or whatever they call it. The locals here call it Sedona. That's the name of the unit. There's also the Renaissance unit. In part, those are the full lockdown units.
On day number six, we actually did have a thorough and enlightening conversation. As the days progressed, my former roommate actually began coming out of it. He asked me several questions regarding the previous five days. He wanted to know who the people were that were coming in and out of his room, specific people. So I explained things to him, this new person. And I went into greater detail regarding some of the events that took place, per his request. Prior to this, conversation was impossible.
So that's the end of that. We'll see who they stick with me next.
The Eyes Have It
I'm supposed to go to Walmart today to pick out prescription glass frames. My current glasses are broken in three different places, covered in blue duct tape, while also utilizing a bent paper clip for structural integrity. So really, I can't wear the damn things anymore.
I spoke with my doctor earlier in the week, explaining my intent. My desire to purchase cheap glasses. I already have the eye exam, here at the nursing home. So next, I simply needed to pick out the frames, something inexpensive.
As they require, I also made a formal request that I be allowed off property to go on my nearby excursion. It's required that I give the nursing home people 48 hours notice. And in turn, they respond by approving my request.
Well, my previous three requests have not been approved. However, they've also failed to mention whether or not I was allowed to leave the property in those instances either. I mean, they set up the system of checks and balances, but they're not following through with their end of the deal.
I won't get into my personal thoughts, right here or right now. I've got a secret agenda to maintain. My hidden nature. Something like that.
Suffice to say, I am going to Walmart today, no matter what anyone tells me. And I am bringing along my ex-wife. Why? Well, that brings to the fore an air of legitimacy. Someone to watch out for me. Someone to be responsible for me. At least In theory - theoretically. You know, a witness. And since she's my lone semi-occasional visitor, she's my only option for such an excursion. Not that I'm having any problems being around her (of late).
—--- Ughhh. This morning's CNA just came hustling into my room trying to get my blood pressure and other vital signs. I summarily refused. And I swear to the f****** heavens above, there's a note posted on my door explicitly requesting that I not be woken up between 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. And sure, I'm half awake right now, writing this entry, but I don't want my room lights on full wattage, especially considering there's no needs based reason. It's midnight dark out there, and I'd like to keep it midnight dark in here. And nope, the sun doesn't rise for another hour and a half.
And yes, this keeps happening. Apparently, those who go through extensive training as certified nursing assistants, do not necessarily know how to read words.
Anyway, that's my escape plan. Going to Walmart today. And if there are any repercussions, I shall willingly accept them. And I shall also enjoy my time spent with another human being, above and beyond staff members and nursing home residents.
Okay then, thank you for following along. I need to get back to sleep for a short while, as I fully intend to enjoy today's outstanding weather. It's supposed to be 76° and sunny. We had a very cold cold January, and now February is starting off quite mild.
Take care,
Howard