Month: July 2024

don’t get stuck

Don’t get so stuck you miss out on the good that’s happening all around you.

CAREGIVER NOTES”

Memories lost — though there were a few glimmers of remembered moments. He couldn’t remember 20 years of working after his military service, but he could remember the 2 years between the military and his other job. He couldn’t remember the house he and his wife bought and finished raising their family in, but he could remember the houses he lived in with his parents and grandparents. It was a difficult evening for him. He was sad, but did find some joy in a couple of good memories despite still not being able to put some pieces of his memories back together. He calls them “the holes.”

Good things for the day:
laughter
smiles
silliness
good food
buying new clothes

7.29.24

CAREGIVER NOTES:

It seems he’s setting a new nighttime routine…. immediately after dinner he goes into the bathroom, undresses and goes to bed for an hour or two. He wakes up and checks his watch for the time — gets dressed and comes out looking for something to eat. For the most part, we’re able to get him to recognize that it’s evening time frame and that the rest of us are trying to get ready for bed. He’ll reluctantly take his nighttime meds and go back to bed after a light meal, a little conversation or TV time.

About those meds. He’s getting a little sneaky — if we aren’t watching him put them in his mouth and swallow. I’ve found his pills stuffed in his chair and breakfast tray remnants recently. Hmmmm….. I’m really hoping this won’t become a bigger issue in coming days.

7.27.24

CAREGIVER NOTE:

The “nigglins” continued through the day. I’m hoping they were resolved with yesterday’s late afternoon call. There are just some things we can’t help with it seems even though we have told him exactly what the other person has said or will say. I feel bad that another person has to be brought in at times, but there is that relief when they say exactly what we’ve said in previous to their call — but their voice was needed to resolve the problem he couldn’t quite sort out and put away.

Here’s hoping for a nice quiet sort of weekend….
Positives for the day:
He ate well
He had a few smiles
After a very early start on his day, he went to bed early and has slept fairly well all night

experiences

CAREGIVER NOTE:
An additional day of pacing — not sure what he’s worried or concerned about, but hopefully, filling his wallet again with a little more cash helped resolve some worry he might have had. Or it could simply be that he’s having a difficult time with the house being a little darker than the norm as we’re trying to keep the heat out and not have to keep the AC going 24/7. So he could be doing a little more than his normal sundowning due to the curtains and blinds being closed in the living area more than not.

He ate several mini meals during the day… He couldn’t remember eating something an hour previously. He was still very hungry around dinner time and ate nearly everything on his plate and was very content for the rest of the evening.

Hoping for a good day today and tomorrow. And that the transition from having an “extra” here will be an easy one come Thursday as company is leaving for their home on the east coast. I’m really hoping he’ll adjust a little easier than the last time, but not holding my breath as we’ve entered another phase of dementia.

It is always possible

CAREGIVER NOTE:

After a really good night’s sleep, he had a very good day overall. Lots of smiles, laughter and enjoyed the company of his son and grandson who are still visiting for a few more days. When they aren’t in the room with him, he wants to know where they are. It will be a period of adjustment when they leave on Thursday.