A few days later

So today is day 3 of Mom being in the Long Term Care Home. 

This has been a difficult transition for her.  A huge change.  Please pray that God grants her peace with her decision and relief from her physical issues. Also patience for the people helping her.  

Admission day

This has been a long day filled with tears and hugs and sighs.....

But perhaps it will be the end of one adventure for Mom and the beginning of a new one. 

She was struggling so much at home.  I will admit, some good days, but so many more that weren't and so hard to deal with it alone so much of the time.  I was there almost everyday for the past several months and for the few that I wasn't, my wonderful daughters (especially Teresa) stepped in to help.  

But it really wasn't enough.  

So today Mom moved into Lanark Heights, a Long Term Care home that we have heard so many good things about!!

We spent the day doing last minute packing and then Karl and my brother John loaded more stuff than we likely should have and brought it over to the home.  We left Mom at the door, shepherded away to her room by staff who really could not have been kinder to her ...... and to me once she left.  As we sat outside the door (not allowed in at all) completing the mountain of required paperwork, we were told that Mom seems to be fine, already creating connections with the staff who were settling her in. 

We were truly impressed by the staff we spoke to.  I pray that this will be a good place for Mom.  That she can be well cared for, but also happy.  

We got the call

June 9, 5:00 p.m.

Well, we finally got the call. Jenny's COVID 19 test was negative and so she is to move into the long-term care facility about 1 p.m. tomorrow.

For your reference, she is going to:
Lanark Heights Long-Term Care,
46 Lanark Cresc.,
Kitchener, ON   N2N 2Z8.

Within  a few days, her current phone number will be operational at Lanark, and we'll let you know when that happens. In the meantime, she will be able to dial out under a temporary number until hers is transferred. We don't know yet what the temporary number is.

Jenny will of course need to go through an initial 2-week isolation but hopefully that will go quickly.
She is able to take some of her things with her, so we are hoping that will help her pass the time.

Needless to say, she is feeling quite anxious about all of this, and the idea is still very hard on her even though it's been in the planning stages for months. All of a sudden this is really happening and she feels like the carpet has been pulled out from under her. Who could blame her?! She loves her cute and cozy little apartment and would love to stay.

Many thanks to those of you who have been willing and kind enough to help with the move! It will be physically and spiritually challenging for everyone involved, especially Jenny!

Joanne says;
Such a hard step for Mom.  Please pray for strength and peace for both Mom and me tomorrow.

Waiting Day 5

Perhaps the hardest part of this process has been the delay.

Today is Day 5 of the wait, it's early, but no results received for Mom's Covid 19 test.
Yesterday was a time of sorting through precious possessions and deciding what to take, store with Karl and me, offer to family members, or donate.  So hard, a lifetime of memories in just a few things. All this sorting/packing (although I am doing the "hands on") is taking a toll.

Mom is struggling with her nights, breathing is hard even with the oxygen.  We are hoping that the folks at Lanark will have some help for her.  She is better during her days, but tires so very quickly.

Waiting Day 3

No news about Covid 19 test results today.

We got a call this morning that Joanne's Aunt Henke in British Columbia passed away.  She was just 6 months older than Jenny and they had been part of each others lives for over 70 years.  Sad news.

Just an hour later, we got a call that  one staff member at Lanark Heights LTC (Jenny's destination)  had tested positive for Covid 19 but had no symptoms.  Because of this we were told that Jenny would likely need to wait a few weeks before her admission could happen. This was a setback after Jenny making the difficult decision to go to Lanark and the work she and Joanne had put into planning and preparation. She was understandably upset & confused about what to do.

A few hours later we had another call, saying that the staff member involved had had no client contact.  We were told that the Regional Health Department had carefully reviewed the situation, determined that there would be no risk to clients at Lanark, and therefore no need to declare an outbreak or to stop admissions. (The staff member had been off work and would remain off until their test came back negative)

Jenny is still reluctant, but tells us that she understands the need to go.

A few of her friends at her apartment building stopped by with a gift, and to wish her well in her move.  The ladies were familiar with Lanark and told Jenny that she will be going to a good place.  I know that their kind words helped more than they could know.

So, all is well and things are back on track.

The wait day 2

We are getting such mixed messages! The paramedic who did Mom's Covid 19 test told us that it could take 4 to 7  days to get the results, the placement coordinator at Lanark said that they will "rush" the test results for people waiting for a bed in long term care, so expect 2 to 3 days. We have been told everything in between from folks who suggest that they "know".  

So..  we have not heard anything today.  Whether the event is good or bad, not knowing the "when" is hard. 

So much preparation, so many details to work out. Perhaps the extra few days are a good thing. 

Although Mom accepted the spot at Lanark reluctantly, she now tells me that she understands that this move needs to happen.  Her health issues seem to be worse at night when she is alone.  

Intro and Background - June 5

Hello, family and friends!

The purpose of this blog is to keep everyone informed about Mom/Jenny. We are sure that you will understand that with the size and extent of the Wassing/Heuvelman family tree, it is impossible for us to keep everyone informed of daily news on a one-to-one basis. We welcome you to check back here for updates, and we expect to be updating daily.

As most of you know, Mom/Jenny  (a.k.a. gramma, great-gramma, aunt, great-aunt, etc., etc.) has had increasing health concerns, especially over the past year.  She had a mild stroke in Feb. 2019, and then a fall in July 2019 causing 13 broken bones. The result has been significant weakness/unsteadiness, pain, and frequently shortness of breath. She has been on oxygen at night for about a month.

Mom/Jenny has good days, where she is still quite mobile (with a walker and in her apartment), but also bad days when she is quite dependent on helpers. It has made us and her doctors concerned for her safety at home, even with the help she has from the Region and from Joanne. She was put on the 'critical list' for admission to a long-term care facility almost three months ago.

Three days ago, we received a call that there is s spot available for her at Lanark Heights, a well-respected facility in the Forest Heights area of Kitchener. Since then, Joanne has been totally absorbed in preparations, tons of admissions paperwork, packing, telephone-and-TV arrangements, etc.

On Thursday (June 4) Jenny had a COVID test (an admission requirement). When the results come back in a few days, she will need to relocate to Lanark within 24 hours. At Lanark she will be required to be in COVID isolation for 2 weeks; however; she will initially be on the first floor, so that we can go over and do a window&phone-call type of visit.

Please check back, we will be posting more news as it happens. Feel free to call us for further info if you wish.