Getting Things in Order

Ros is doing well becoming a part of our Topsfield family life. He loves our new dog Volley, a 6 year old black miniature poodle rescued from Maryland. Volley amuses Ros and keeps him company all day long. The comings and goings of Lucie, Mia, Ted and myself are also a distraction. We keep a white board with day of the week, date and where everyone is that day so Ros can keep up with us! Having dinner, watching the Red Sox (lose:() and eating ice cream together are good and comforting activities for us all. Until recently, Ros has had a pretty regular routine of: up at 9am, driving to Topsfield Center for coffee at 11am, back home for a couple hours of puzzle, peanut butter butter (yeech!) sandwich, more puzzle till vodka/water ( only 2 drinks 1.5 oz each) time at 5:15, dinner with the family and ice cream and tv for dessert.

On 9/19, Ros' routine was turned upside down. Ted and I took him to watch Mia play soccer and he fell in the bleachers and hit his head.  Miraculously, he didn't break anything but we did spend a day and a half at Beverly Hospital (local) and Beth Israel for further observation of his brain. He has double vision as a result of the fall and just had an MRI this past week and will be seeing a neuroopthamologist at Beth Israel a couple weeks. He stopped driving and his car is in our garage. Not sure if it just since the fall or was present before, but Ros is very unsteady on his feet so we are keeping a close eye on him. It has been a big set back for him.

Our major focus has been getting his VA benefits and healthcare established at the Bedford MA facility, primary care in Gloucester MA at VA clinic in conjunction with other eldercare in home support like Lifeline, Adult Daycare etc. We will be seeing a Gerontology Specialist this week in Bedford MA VA Med center for the first time. We have many things to check out with the specialist but of primary interest is a neuropsych assessment about the status of his memory and also prescriptions for a cane, walker and physical therapy. A most remarkable thing is that Ros takes zero medications! Every where we have gone for medical support, people are amazed that he is 92 years old and doing so well.

Ros' hearing is very challenging so phone calls are tricky (he doesn't answer the phone at all). If you want to connect, we could arrange a skype call which is a lot of fun and he can see your face...Notes and cards are welcome. Love to have visitors!

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