Grandmother

I've just learned that my only surviving grandparent has Parkinson's Disease. She already has advanced dementia, which seems more and more like Alzheimer's with every passing week, based on her non-responsiveness, hours of vacant staring, and inability to perform basic tasks. But at the most recent trip to the hospital this week, a team of neurologists and geriatric specialists has determined that she did not have a stroke (as Mom suspected), but that she has Parkinson's and cannot return home. It seems as though they believe the best place for Gran is in a rehab center, followed by a nursing home. Until this point, Mom and Aunt have been taking care of Gran at home. Sure, it's been hard since Gran is really not able to pull herself up with any amount of strength and she is barely ambulatory. But now, Gran cannot walk at all. And Mom and Aunt cannot continue to lift her in and out the bed, chair, shower, etc.

Mom is taking this pretty hard. I try to imagine myself in her position, watching as my mother declines mentally and physically at an alarming rate while standing powerless to stop it. I hope that I never have to live through that. I know this can't be easy for Mom. I am sad for her. And sad for all of us, really, since the Gran we have now is a cheap imposter of the grandmother we've known all our lives. I am planning to go visit with Gran tonight at the rehab center. I wish that she will recognize me and be able to talk for a while. But even if she cannot, I will talk, and hope that she's listening.