Hi Ruth,

 RH> he passed away. I think it took Mom several months to grieve before 
 RH> she felt like doing any of the activities the place offered but she 
 RH> is enjoying them now. Also nice that family is close by and can pop 
 RH> a visit easily.

That's normal to grieve for a few months at first anyway.  Glad she is doing
better and taking advantage of some of the programs offered.

 RH> Actually, 2 people because Dad would close out the letter with
 RH> usually a fairly substantual note of his own. Toward the end, he was 
 RH> writing, as Mom's mind was too far gone.

When my Nana passed away that was the end of the letter writing I saw.
She used to write her family back in Alberta and being that they were from
the depression era they used this criss cross way of writing to get 8 total
pages out of one peice of paper.

Even if I had one of her letters, I don't think there is anyone left alive who can
read that. hahaha

 RH> brought on the dementia rather rapidly.....looking back, we saw some
 RH> signs of it coming on but didn't recognise them  for what they were
 RH> until too late.

We are glad in a way my sister is a type of nurse so she saw signs with Dad
and for the most part he's okay... mellowed a lot but does get frustrated when
he can't remember something.

 RH> We know it's there, but just eat it a little bit at a time, and
 RH> intersperse other goodies.

I have no will power. ;)

Shawn

--- Grumble