She'd never asked for help her whole life. I'm here, like your daughter and granddaughter, to help you take care of yourself and plan as best you can for the future. “In the early stages of MCI, you can do everything you already do: Drive, work, social activities. “Well, you certainly have the right attitude,” Jake continued.
“That's all I want,” she said, smiling at Arden and Lauren. What I'm here forâwhat we're all here forâis to make sure you can continue living your life the way you already are.” “The important thing to remember is simply to take care of yourself, do what you love, and see Dr. “If you call first, don't ever say âcaregiver' again, and keep taking pictures of my flowers, you have a deal.” Establishing a daily routine and maintaining regularity is important, and the phone can help. “Lolly, small cues and reminders to help your memory can really help you stay organized. Jake walked back, took a seat, and then took a sip of his sun tea. “How do I get one of those?” Lolly asked. Lauren waved at her grandmother, and Lolly waved back, although the two were only feet apart. “When you get a phone like this, you can call me anytime, and I can see your face. She looked at her cell, smiled, and answered. “And watch this,” Jake said, tapping his phone.Ī few seconds later, Lauren's phone began to trill.
“Pictures of my flowers! They're so beautiful,” she exclaimed. Lolly grabbed his phone with one hand and covered her mouth with the other. Now, hold on one second,” Jake said excitedly, standing and walking outside, returning seconds later. “And we can set up a shared calendar, with musical sounds like Lauren and Arden have, to remind you when you need to take certain medications, when you need to go shopping, even when you need to wake up. Jake pulled up his banking app and showed Lolly how, with a few clicks, she could manage her bills with Arden's help. “No,” Lolly said, amazed and shaking her head. “And,” continued Jake, “you can check the weather, or pay all of your bills on here.” “Here's how you get on the Internet,” he explained, smiling.Īrden couldn't help but notice how big his dimples were. Jake powered on his cell and began demonstrating the endless app's for Lolly. “Never,” Jake said, walking over and taking a seat beside Lolly, causing the glider to swing wildly. “I've always wanted to try one of those,” she said, “but I'm too old.” Do you mind if I show you something fun on my phone, Lolly?”Īgain, Lolly regarded Jake, before reluctantly nodding her head. “We were talking about gardening and then technology interrupted,” Jake said gently yet firmly, not missing a beat. Lauren looked at her grandmother, and Arden shot a look at Jake, the two nervously silencing their phones. “Where was I?” she said, looking out at the lake. The trilling of Arden's and Lauren's phones stopped Lolly in midsentence. I love the feel of the earth in my hands, I love⦔ Lolly took a seat on the glider and regarded Jake, her face shifting from overcast to slightly cloudy. “Although I can tell you have a green thumb.” “You're right,” Jake said, before nodding toward her gardens. “I'm a person,” Lolly said, thrusting Jake's tea at him. Lolly looked at Jake warily, filling a glass of tea for him before doing the same for herself. Lolly scooched the jigsaw puzzle occupying the porch table to one side, and began filling the table's center with sun tea, chips and dip, sandwiches, bowls, spoons, and a gallon of Scoops County blackberry ice cream.Ī now-dressed Arden knew her mother's small-town routine: She may be upset, but she's always cordial to a guest, she thought. I shouldn't have said âcaregiver.' I apologize again. “The word âcaregiver' is downright awful. “No, you can't,” Lolly said, her voice clipped, turning to walk back into the cabin. “I swear I didn't see anything,” Jake said. “No cell reception at the beach,” Lauren explained.