I've wanted to be more in touch with all of you. But thought it kind of silly to keep posting about car door locks not working, or how much more I need to do, to settle into the house. Surely something more interesting is happening in the world. In thinking about what I might share with you, I looked back at posts I've done since my son's two surgeries, and even bored myself with reading most of them.

Something needed to change, and it came in the form of a major restructuring of nursing assignments at work. While there's still a shortage of us, these changes help some. But I knew it would be much more difficult to work on acute care units.

I was so discouraged, that I'd about decided to just quit, and retire. But a certain young nurse who works the Alzheimer unit, lately had kept showing up wherever I was, telling me how she's moving back to Florida, and someone is needed to take her place, and not a lot of nurses are wanting to do that.

At first I mostly ignored her about it, but as I thought more, realized perhaps this might be a good idea. I cannot keep up the pace younger nurses have to, so this is good. On Alzheimer units, you have to slow down to how they move, and their speed of comprehension.

So please don't send condolences to daughters, Barb, at A Chelsea Morning, and Bev, at "Scratchin' the Surface", because their mom will now be a regular on this locked unit.

I love the changes from the past that I'm seeing there. Bedrooms are decorated individually, with lots of personal touches to remind them who they are. Pictures are posted to help with recognition. And a really nice oudoor area, all secure, of course, allows fresh air walks, or just places in the sun, to rest.

The activities department works with them much; encourages their long term memory, and other relating. They really get into music and art. It's so nice seeing someone break into song without being selfconscious about it. Someone started a movie, and as soon as its stars appeared, a few residents called out who they were.

The unit has a homey atmosphere. I counted three cats who've homesteaded there, and I noticed that a few of the residents, who must not be early risers, were allowed to sleep as late as they wanted to, and were given meals and medications after they got up.

Maybe some day more will be known, and can be done about Alzheimers. What I've seen is that their blood pressure and other vital signs are much better than other nursing home patients tend to be, and they generally live a long time, which I think says much about having less worry and stress.

The most difficult adjustment for me, I think, will be getting used to the twelve hour shifts, but because of them, will get more days off. After many years of having to rush so at work, I am still reminding myself that it's o.k that I'll be getting paid for just spending some time with these people, who so need a human touch.