Mom gets a haircut

We went up to see Dad and Mom on Sunday.

I made burgers and helped Dad finish setting up his Dish-Network and
3ABN satellites. Two set-top boxes, two dishes on the rear of the
house, I think it is all working fine now. Mark and I even went
through his remote settings and made a short list of channels for him
that did not include any of the HBO or sport or adult channels that
he is not using. But now that he knows they are there....

Linda gave Mom a hair cut after lunch and then Linda encouraged Mom
to take a shower and wash her hair to get those final scraps of hair
cuttings rinsed away. Mom could not figure out how to use the
shower, never did figure it out, so Linda went in to help her. Mom
explained to Linda that she is uncomfortable bathing in her bathroom
since several men live in the walk in closet off the master bathroom.
(Perfectly understandable, I would not want to shower in my shower if
there were men living in my master closet either. ) So mom hopped in
the tub and proceeded to shampoo and rinse her hair under that faucet.

Linda came away from the episode quite concerned and spoke with Dad
about it briefly, asking how often Mom bathes or showers. He said he
did not really know since she goes in the bathroom and closes the
door and he is never sure if any bathing takes place. After mom got
dressed she showed Linda the guest bath down the hall and explained
how she preferred that bath, it seems it has not closet, and thus no
extra prying eyes.

Throughout the three or four hours we were there mom would disappear
into her bedroom from time to time and come out wearing a different
skirt or top or sweater or whatever. Mark commented that she kept
changing her clothes and Linda pointed out, NO, she was just adding
layers. By the time it was bath time she had on three skirts and
several tops and she usually has on two to three layers of mismatched
socks.

So we go home.

I called Dad tonight to discuss some of this with him and we had a
pretty good talk. Right now I say that Dad is in denial about just
how things stand with Mom. I suggested that it was time for him to
start investigating some type of "home health" service to get a women
aid to come in at least once a week to help Mom with a bath and her
hair and nails as needed. Dad, apparently, is withdrawing from these
things in some ways and I think he needs some help. He conceded that
this might be a good idea and YES, he does know who to call in the
community for a referral for help.

I feel like 2007 is going to be a momentous year somehow. This thing
is starting to pick up pace and exceed my understanding of what
happens next and what should be the appropriate responses to what
happens next and when should further action be taken and what is that
action and and and and and....

I know less and less about more and more.