Mom saw her PCP today, and it was a good visit.  Got some medications squared away, and now we're going to try an anti-fungal on her rash.  After the big improvement the first day the steroid cream just hasn't been doing the job.

Talked with the Home Care agency that someone had recommended, and had an excellent discussion with the woman in charge.  She will be coming over on Wednesday morning to see what Mom wants/needs so she can find the best match for her.  Then that aide will start on Thursday or Friday, when I'm here to help "train" her.  

Also talked to Danielle at General Services today with a new list of additional things that need to be done around the apartment.  But mostly I want to get the grab bar installed in the bathroom, so she's going to nudge Custom Interiors (I left messages with two different people there and never heard back.)

My list is getting shorter, though this evening Mom mentioned having difficulty getting hangers down from her closet, so we need to have those rods lowered.  I'll be making another call to Danielle tomorrow!

After dinner (with Mildred and Gloria) Mom and I went to the movie downstairs: A Dog's Way Home.   It's similar to Incredible Journey (and also told from the dog's point of view), and there were no surprises - but we both found it entertaining.  Sure made me miss Brownie!  The theater was pretty packed, and since no one left obviously others were also enjoying it.  Mom stayed awake through the whole thing, which has seldom been the case.

Unfortunately afterward Mom thought it would be a good idea to skip the crowd at the elevator and walk up the ramp.  NO!  She didn't make it very far before she had difficulty breathing - though she didn't panic, just did her breathing exercises.  Several people offered assistance, and once her breathing was under control one nice man pushed her the rest of the way up the ramp (though I could easily have done it.)

Her excuse (that she was tired) is valid - except she chose to go that way anyway.... and so is her comment that she "used to be able to do it". But that was then, this is now.  We're just not getting through to her that she has to be more realistic about her physical limitations. And as her brain continues to age I expect reasoning with her to become increasingly frustrating.  I know she wants to stay at home and live independently - but if she doesn't start making smarter decisions that won't remain the case. 

Tom had no luck getting in to see a doctor today; says he spent a very frustrating 4 hours on the phone, trying various offices, but everyone was booked solid for the foreseeable future. (I had suggested that he skip calling and just show up and offer to wait (it worked for me at the ENT place) but since when has he taken my advice?  

The better news is that on Saturday he got a heavy-duty cherry extract supplement at Sprouts (he'd gone in for cherry juice) and that seems to be helping somewhat.