Cody Updates by Mom

Well, I spent over five hours at the memory care center on Tuesday.  I was able to get some things in moms room to make it more “homey” and was able to get the mountain of paperwork done.

After about two hours being at the center, mom showed up.  She was NOT happy.  Two hours in the car was not something that she would ever like.  I was grateful for the fact that Ann at White Pine didn’t even ask if I wanted to bring mom there.  She knew.  She just recommended that they bring her there while I got her setup to be at her (hopefully) final home.

White Pine is a smaller memory care center in Cottage Grove.  What was great was that I recognized the nurse and some of the workers from when Jim’s mom was there.  That type of commitment is important.  They are so helpful and caring.  We have always been impressed with them.

One thing I can say is that mom was exceptionally happy to see her robot kitty.  I was hoping there would be some recognition of the kitty and not only was there recognition it is now something that will likely go down in the white pine “things that the staff will never forget”.  It is odd but apparently, I am no longer the youngest child.  At one point mom was holding her kitty and told it that I was its big sister.  Interesting.  She would not let the kitty out of her sight.  The staff let me have lunch with her and were so helpful to me as we went through the day.

I will say that the day with mom was, interesting.  She did not know who I was for the majority of the day.  She did not know what was going on.  She just was.  The really good thing is that she took to the care staff right away.  As we were going into the elevator to bring her to her room she kissed the staff persons hand and gave her a smile that would melt a mountain.  We ended up moving her in on the right day.  It was the monthly birthday celebration.  They had a guy come in with a guitar and he sang songs.  They also had birthday cake too.

As I did the paperwork over the weekend, I spent the most time on the “Social History” document.  I wrote about all of the memories that have surfaced for mom over the last few months.  They actually told me today that the fact that I did that is golden.  It really helps them so much to understand the new person.  I felt odd writing so much on the back of the pages but am relieved that this was important as they get to know mom.

There are so many moving parts and I know that I am missing many of them.  What I know is that mom is in a secure facility that cares about her and will ensure that her final days are good.  I know it sound morbid but I am hopeful that mom is able to have her last day on earth at this facility.

I hope that you are wondering about visiting!  Visiting hours are, all the time!  Really! Well, use your best judgement, maybe middle of the night would not be quite the right time.  They even said that you could bring your dog if you want.  Kids can visit and honestly, they really encourage visiting as much as possible.

Address: 6950 E Point Douglas Rd. S., Cottage Grove, MN 55016
When you turn at the light you will go behind Kohls and then turn to the left.  The road winds around.  There are three buildings at the end.  The first one is a senior apartment building.  That’s the big one.  The next one you will see is the White Pine assisted living home.  Turn right at the assisted living place and go up the hill.  The memory care center is on top of the hill.  When you go in you can use the doorbell or knock and the nurses will let you in.  Sign the guest book.  Mom is upstairs.  You will take the elevator up to 2.  She is in room 23 but likely out in the common area.  Just ask anyone and they will help you find her.

We will not be there much on the weekends but mostly during the week.  If you have any time I know that having visitors would really help. Thank you again for all of the prayers.  We appreciate it so very much!