It Takes A Village

Last weekend staff researcher Margaret Beeson and senior researcher Jean Wyatt took time off from Fremont Street Center duties to travel to Lloyd Center to shop. We had some VERY hot days, and Mother's summer wardrobe is pretty skimpy. I myself would not have thought Mother had the stamina to travel on a bus, and then go through racks of summer shirts. I would never have dreamed of undertaking this mission. Margaret made it work.

 

Margaret's hints for shopping with Mother

1. Go slowly.

2. Stop for rest at Safeway, have cold drinks and people watch. 

3. Listen to Mother's feedback.

4. Honor her choices.

It is hard to think of a more holistically healthy activity. Clothes are the first layer of Mother's physical environment.  She comments on other people's clothes, and enjoys getting compliments on her own. I know all of this, but it never would have occurred to me to take Mother shopping. I would have automatically assumed that she would be too uncomfortable and impatient to withstand the experience.

This is a good example of why it takes a village to care for a person with Alzheimers. Marcie pioneered taking Mother on bus trips. Now Mother has new clothes (and we have an expanded appreciation of her capabilities ) because Margaret built on that, and used the bus to take her to Ross Dress For Less. Hooray for our teamwork. and for Mother.