A memory from
2019.
The facility
took the residents twice a month. I took her at various times in
between, but she loved going on the bus with her “peers” as she called the
group.
I guess it
gave her a sense of freedom and independence to go with the others and not
me. However, she loved going with me,
too. We shopped and then ate lunch at a local restaurant. At first, I wondered why she walked behind me instead of beside me. I came to realize that this is part of the disease. Her peripheral vision was declining.
There were
times when the facility had no bus driver, and the tenants made lists for one
facilitator to get the supplies. The residents hated this. Each one enjoyed the
outing. On these instances, Shelley
complained the loudest to me, and at that time, she could still voice her
complaints to the director.
How I wish
she could still do this! As I write this
memory, it is March, 2022. Three years have gone by since she needed the items listed below. She can no longer express what she wants and has no clue as to
what she needs.
I sent the list of supplies below to Stewart, the man who was the designated shopper. Can you imagine getting lists made by 35 occupants? Even if each list had half the items as Shelley’s did, keeping the money and goods separate had to be a huge chore.
Back in those days, I bought Dr.
Suess books for her, although at that stage in her dementia, she couldn’t read,
but a friend would read to her. She
loved perfumes. She insisted her room had to smell good, and so did she.
I kept a
small Christmas tree in her apartment. We decorated it according to seasons. This list was made around Easter time.
For Shelley’s Walmart Trip March 12, 2019
) Yogurt
2) Boost
3) Resee’s peanut butter cups
4) Peanut M & M’s.
5) Dr. Seuss Book
(She already has the one fist, Two fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
book)
6) Plug in refills to make the room
smell good. (I’m not sure of the brand she already has. If you can’t find it,
buy a new one)
7) Can of Room spray to make room smell
good.
8) Spray cologne for ladies to smell
good.
) Toilet paper.
1 Maybe
A few decorations for her Easter tree to hang on branches. Crosses, etc. If you
don’t find any, that’s okay.
Thanks,
Stuart! You do a good job, and I
appreciate it!
Gay
When I found this list, I found myself longing for those days when she could call me on her iPhone, or go with me to the store.
I'll always remember the fun we had at Walmart.