Communication

It's been some time since I've made a report. Actually, there's not much to say these days. Our visits with Fay are falling into a routine of sorts. Fay is usually at an activity when we arrive. If it's Saturday, she's at the trivia and ice cream social. The volunteers seem to understand that Fay needs sugar free ice cream. Most of the time Fay is feeding herself, although when she sees us she wants us to help, even feed her. Some days she seems very drowsy. Other times she is fairly alert.

The biggest change is that Fay can no longer have a conversation. She is unable to complete a sentence, even when you try to prompt her for the words she seems to be searching for. I actually think the situation is more frustrating for us than for her. When Fay forgets what she starts to say (which is just about always) she just settles back and smiles. She can't really answer questions, except for "yes" or "no," and those responses often are random and inconsistent with the answer we are expecting.

So we bring pictures to look at or go over the photo albums she has in her cabinet. Reading the Baltimore Jewish Times is another good activity. It comes out weekly and there are sometimes funny stories. If we laugh, Fay laughs. Margie buys her new clothes - tops appropriate for the season and slacks to replace the ones that seem to vanish occasionally. Fay likes that and is happy about the presents.

I try to be thankful that Fay seems to be comfortable and not anxious. The changes we are seeing are inevitable, say the medical staff.