Sep 14, 2013 - Barb Swan and Mimi Hills visit

Email from: from Barb Swan, 9/15/2013

Since I seem unable to post on the blog, I thought I might write to you with a report of yesterday's visit by myself and Mimi with Barbara Ann, in hopes you can share it via email or the blog.  She wanted us to relay some info.

Mimi and I had a heartening experience and stayed twice as long as we'd intended.  BA teared up many times, usually when reminiscing about the people who sent cards we read to her. By the way, Mimi jotted down the names and addresses of every card and package we could find.  Also noted is a list of calls she received. This log is in a kelly green notebook left open with a pen on top of her bureau.  

A package we opened was filled with beautiful notecards from an artist friend.  As we looked around we found others, some sent by BA's sister, also an artist.  We put them all in one box and placed them on the bureau as well, with a sign "CARDS TO BE SENT (BLANK)".  BA wonders if visitors could act as scibes to help send a few at a time using the addresses in the green notebook.

I asked BA if she might like to pin some of these little masterpieces on her walls and she said she would.  Might someone ask the staff if this would be allowed, and if so, arrive with push pins?

BA wanted to share some of her mouthwatering chocolate with us, but also intimated how much she would appreciate a little box or two of Wild Planet Sardines that can be purchased at Costco.  We thought that was interesting!

Oh, BA would like everyone to know her cell phone password  because she is no longer able to retrieve calls herself and needs help.  

As we know, BA is affected greatly by sounds that don't seem that loud to us, but rattle her head.  Her room is adjacent to the kitchen so she hears sounds of meal preparation and clean up at least three times a day.  I learned from Manny, a staff member she is very fond of, that her room location was chosen because: a) it is the only room that has an private bathroom and b) with her door open the staff can hear her easily if she calls out to them.  Upon her request, the staff no longer listen to television or radio in the kitchen.  They really are trying to be responsive to her needs.

Mimi and I hope this information will be helpful.  We will visit again soon.  Oh, I just remembered something else - Manny said visitors can stay as late as 10:00pm!

Yours,

Barb