It is a nice gadget, but she always seems nervous that it won't work.
She does enjoy the water.
Lunch at Grandma's house.
We managed to make the trek to the Condell Centre Club in Gurnee so that Mom could get some therapy pool time. The boys really love the child care area because they get to interact with other kids. Anna is less thrilled but seems to tolerate the playroom. She usually picks out a favorite child care worker and stays by that person during her visit.
It is hard to get Grandma motivated to go. She likes to go around noon, when there are few people there, but then she must miss her soap operas (horrors!) I would be more sympathetic if she 1) managed to stay awake through the programs 2) didn't read online recaps 3) did not have access to the replay on the all soap cable channel.
It is worth the hassle of Mom being annoyed with me because the warm water of the therapy pool gives her pain relief, allows her to exercise, plus improves both her balance and range of motion. They offer a fantastic Arthritis Aquatic program, but sadly Mom can't participate because she can't hear the instructor.
Arthritis is the leading cause of disability among seniors. So many people suffer from it and only treat it with medication. Exercise really is the key to maintaining functioning. The tough thing about exercise is that when one has arthritis is hurts to move. The Arthritis Foundation has created wonderful exercise programs and guidelines. I have seen the exercise programs really change the quality of life significantly for older clients and I urge anyone who has or is caring for someone with arthritis to find a program in their area.
I am delighted to see Mom in the water again, and aghast at how much functional decline she has suffered over the winter. The multiple bouts of bronchitis kept her in the house, and worse, in her chair far too much. With arthritis immobility is the enemy. Part of me feels terrible, guilty and responsible for the decline. The rational part of me knows I am not all-powerful and could not have prevented the entire decline. I still wish I had been able to get her moving more. The good news is that we can improve her functionality as long as we can keep her other health issues under control, and keep her moving.
It is hard to get Grandma motivated to go. She likes to go around noon, when there are few people there, but then she must miss her soap operas (horrors!) I would be more sympathetic if she 1) managed to stay awake through the programs 2) didn't read online recaps 3) did not have access to the replay on the all soap cable channel.
It is worth the hassle of Mom being annoyed with me because the warm water of the therapy pool gives her pain relief, allows her to exercise, plus improves both her balance and range of motion. They offer a fantastic Arthritis Aquatic program, but sadly Mom can't participate because she can't hear the instructor.
Arthritis is the leading cause of disability among seniors. So many people suffer from it and only treat it with medication. Exercise really is the key to maintaining functioning. The tough thing about exercise is that when one has arthritis is hurts to move. The Arthritis Foundation has created wonderful exercise programs and guidelines. I have seen the exercise programs really change the quality of life significantly for older clients and I urge anyone who has or is caring for someone with arthritis to find a program in their area.
I am delighted to see Mom in the water again, and aghast at how much functional decline she has suffered over the winter. The multiple bouts of bronchitis kept her in the house, and worse, in her chair far too much. With arthritis immobility is the enemy. Part of me feels terrible, guilty and responsible for the decline. The rational part of me knows I am not all-powerful and could not have prevented the entire decline. I still wish I had been able to get her moving more. The good news is that we can improve her functionality as long as we can keep her other health issues under control, and keep her moving.
Afterwards we picked up lunch and headed over to her home in Gurnee to enjoy it on her back porch. It was a fun day.
2 comments:
Good pictures of your mom - she's an aqua star! She does look a little apprehensive in the first shot and then looks happy once she's immersed. Such good information and motivation about keeping moving to maintain mobility. (something we all should remember!) Keep up the posts! Sara
Retta-
Thanks for all of your efforts with Mom. And don't feel guilty. You do your best, and it's not as though she's not 21 yet.
Great pictures of the kids, too!
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