How to help my neighbor with vision problems

Besa, thank you for the info. I will see if we are in their service area or have local branches.

ShetlandPony, One of her biggest needs is to get the schedules available to Lori. There's the family schedule of her 6 children and all their activities and doctor's appointments and who is driving them. There's also Lori's schedule of her doctor's appointments, chemo treatments, and home nurse, OT, etc. visits.

Another helper and I have discussed with Lori moving the family schedule the Google calendar, with the plan of finding a way for Google app or the computer to read it to Lori. Lori said her medical calendar must be accessible to the staff that come to the house. Maybe we can do Google with her medical calendar, and print it out for the visitors to use.

Thank you,

Mominator

Lori was put on hospice yesterday. She's on anti-seizure medication and very drowsy. 😢

She's completely blind, losing weight, and very weak.

Another friend and I visited her today. She's having trouble speaking so she uses signs for what she wants. Sometimes she doesn't know or can't tell us what she wants. Sometimes she's confused. Sometimes she says random things.

It's heartbreaking.

Correction: Lori is not on hospice.

Lori had a doctor's appointment last week and the treatment has failed. There were no more treatment options left. Hospice came on Friday to speak with the husband, Lori and her siblings. Apparently husband wants a second opinion. He has not signed her on to hospice, but she is not getting any more treatments.

There was a home health care agency that has been dismissed. Another helper/agency has been dismissed. All I know is "there were words."

Friends and neighbors (such as myself) are staying with Lori in the morning so the husband can go to work for a few hours. He's the owner of a small business. Then he comes home around mid-day. Another friend and I were with her this morning. Lori was already up and siting in a chair when he left for work. She slept most of the time, woke a few times, had a few sips of water, and then back to sleep. She was then moved back to bed. She sometimes gets too warm or too cold, and she likes to have her feet out of the covers, but she does not seem to be in any pain.

I'm not sure what is going on. Lori is in no position to make any decisions. Husband says things like "yes, she seems better today" or "she ate more today," but doesn't talk about anything else.

Thanks Shetland for those suggestions.

I was with Lori Wednesday morning. She was sitting in a chair when I arrived, having just finished morning routine: bathroom, breakfast (don't know how much), medicine, and changed into day clothes. Husband talked to her a little bit and then asked if she wanted to take a nap. He got her into bed and scooted her up towards the pillow. That's when she gasped in pain.

Husband took me aside before he left and said "if anything happens, call me, not 911 or anyone else. We want her to stay home. Of course, we're praying for a miracle." I asked, "so is she getting services from hospice now?" He answered, "well, I haven't finished filling out the paperwork yet."

She settled in bed. I read to her all the beautiful cards and artwork done by her kids posted on the wall. I gave her her wooden cross and she slept the rest of the morning. Every so often she would stir because she was too hot or too cold or to roll over or needed a pillow adjusted.

I'm scheduled to be with Lori on Tuesday. I'll ask again, gently, about hospice then and mention your suggestions. At this rate, she may pass before he finishes (or starts) filling out the paperwork.

Lori's Husband officially filled out the paperwork yesterday to start hospice. Husband told me an aide was coming, and he wanted the aide to give Lori a shower.

Today was a big day.

The hospice nurse came for the first time during my time with Lori. Nurse checked vitals and pain level. Lori was not able to communicate much to the nurse. Nurse gave me some phone numbers and instructions. I made copious notes for Husband.

Health aide came as nurse was leaving. Also her first time with Lori. I told her Husband's instructions. She asked Lori if she wanted a shower. No, she wanted to stay in her chair (recliner). Aide told me we must follow Lori's wishes. We gave her a sponge bath in her recliner, using towels to keep Lori warm. We got her into fresh clothes and also used the commode. Lori was exhausted by the time we finished the sponge bath. Aide gave me more instructions including a shopping list, a list of supplies to request from the nurse, and advice on what services are available. Again, I made copious notes for Husband.

Also the high school guidance called to check in on the family. I know her because my daughter has the same guidance counselor. Our girls are BFF, although they hardly see each other now because they don't have any classes together. At least they have the bus ride home together.

Well, ShetlandPony, Husband arrived home after the aide left. I gave him all the notes. He seemed in the mood to talk a bit, and I took your advice. I explained all the services that were available through hospice, including social worker and chaplain. I told him my experiences with hospice, and when we told the children that our beloved Nana was dying. I asked what his children knew, as I only have said to my children that Lori "was very sick," since our daughters are so close. He asked that we leave it at that. He did say he was very interested in working with the social worker and chaplain.

I told him that as one of my final gifts to Lori, I would play flute at her funeral, if he wished.

The hospital bed and other equipment were being moved in as I was leaving.

I am so relieved now that these services are coming into place.

I'm on again tomorrow.