New Home, New Friends

This past week has been full.   Erik is moved and settled.  If I had to describe Erik's first week at Elmcroft I'd have to say it went better than we could have predicted.   All this is so new, not only to him but to us too.  Hanging around the staff and residents has been a learning experience and I'm glad to say it's a positive one so far.  Erik is really getting good care.  His hygiene is improving and he's learning his way around.  We're blessed that Erik's dementia doesn't cause him to be angry.  For the most part he accepts the help he's given and the direction he's pointed.

The past few days I've been constantly blessed by comments about Erik from the senior residents:
"He's such a good boy!" - from a woman who used to be a teacher and sort of thinks Erik is one of her pupils.  This woman is the friendliest person I know.  She greets everyone who comes in the door like she's been waiting for you and now that you're there, her whole face erupts with smiles and she's as happy as can be.   Then she forgets that you're in the building and the next time she sees you the process repeats.


"Can you tell me, does he like coffee or juice in the morning?  Because I'm up early and I can help him get what he likes"  - from a 100 year old woman who is always out and about, using her walker - no need for the wheelchair, amazing.  Her sweetness, what a gift.


"Did you know Erik won 5 games of bingo yesterday?!" - from the tall, elegant, slender woman who lives across the hall from Erik.


"He is so sweet!!"  - from the wonderful nurse on staff who greeted Erik when he walked in the door for the first time, hugged him, took his hand and led him to his new room.


"He's not a big talker, is he?"  (haha, no) - this from the nice man who lives next door to Erik with his ailing wife, serving her faithfully.
Erik's been to sing-a-longs, sitter-cise, piano recitals and other concerts.  He's participated in church services, devotionals, music therapy, and more.  If there's something fun going on the staff goes to Erik's room and gets him so he won't miss out, isn't that wonderful? Yesterday we attended the 2:00 church service with him.  Lots of old-time hymn singing.  He's always up for that.  However, Erik can't hold a candle to sweet Dottie. She just loves the Lord and loves to sing -- she just can't stay sitting down.  When she praises the Lord, she has to get up and sail around the room with her joyful, bouncing exuberance...it's adorable!
Yesterday it became pretty clear to us that Erik really no longer knows our names.  He knows our faces.  I keep telling him every time I see him, "Erik, you're my brother".  Sometimes he says quietly, "I know".  It's always good  to hear him say something, even if it's just 2 words.  Today he was trying to say something, not succeeding.  He then pointed to the promotional booklet from his old home, Aldersgate.  He's been looking at it often.  I bet if he could, he'd tell us he misses it a lot.
We're visiting Erik every day for 2 weeks and then we'll taper off our visits a bit.  When we see him he's in a cheerful mood for the most part.  There's been only a couple of times he seemed out of sorts.  I can't tell you how good it's been to my heart to drive away from his home after watching him do something he's enjoyed.  Today when I visited I could tell he's catching a cold and I'm starting to wonder if I've got it too.  Many of the residents have chest colds right now.
When looking for a new home for Erik I had to totally trust the Lord with all the details.  And, minute by minute, I'm still having to put Erik in the Lord's hands.  Worrisome thoughts about the future often try to plague my mind.  But I'm not going to let them. I know Erik's where he needs to be and I know we will see good things as a result. (we already have)  Thank you to all who've been praying for this transition time.  Your prayers have been answered well.  Glory to our God!

First day, looking at the new room.

First day, walking around the dining room with mom and our sister.  Erik has his own special spot here.

First day, finding his way around.  They serve SNACKS here!

First day, meeting people.

Erik loved "sitter-cise".  It was wonderful to see him take to it.

One day during sitter-cize they used a parachute to work their arm muscles, fun!

Last night Erik was teasing my hubby, bopping him on the head with a balloon, then laughing like crazy.

Erik and Mike looking at pictures of his old home.  I know he misses it.

This picture warms my heart.  It was taken last Friday while Erik and I hung out.  He'd had a good morning and there were lots of fun things planned for the afternoon.

I'm hoping my sister will write a post for you to read, describing Erik's move from her perspective.  So, stay tuned again.  Thank you all for caring for sweet Erik.