Month: October 2024

10.11.24

CAREGIVER NOTE:
Tough day and evening, period. His trip into the rabbit hole of a situation he had been concerned about could have been much worse. He went to bed early, too early. Was back up within an hour — after having a vivid dream. The dream opened the rabbit hole. Once he dips a toe into the rabbit hole, it takes what seems forever to close the hole even for a short period of time. He went back to bed about 2 hours later. It wasn’t a good night — he was pretty restless, but wasn’t wandering overnight. He’s already checking his watch this morning and is a bit restless. Fingers crossed today will be a better day.

I think the part that hurt the most last evening was his not recognizing T (his son) even after T reintroduced himself. That was hard.

POSITIVES:
He gave some kudos to a grandchild for a favor delivered
He didn’t lose his temper and lash out.
He wanted to apologize for questioning what he finally realized the situation was resolved and taken care of and he didn’t have to take any further steps

Make time today

CAREGIVER NOTES:
Much better day overall. He took 2 walks outside. We will likely need to resume some PT for his hip as he was having some hip pain — though some of that could be the result of his fall from the day before. We’ll see how things go today during our afternoon “stroll.”

Still no answers as to what he wants to do — suggestions are still falling flat. Puzzles, card games, computer games, painting larger items, looking through memory books and family history stuff (I have all of the family binders).

POSITIVES:
Good spirits all day
Enjoyed a visit with his youngest son for about an hour during the evening
Slept all night

10.9.24

There is beauty in hard things…

CAREGIVER NOTE:

He had a difficult afternoon into early evening. He kept saying he was sick but not what was wrong or why he felt sick. He didn’t want any family help or outside help. He got very angry and was slamming doors and then leaving the house (thankfully, through the back door and not the front). He wasn’t able to unlock the fence gates and leave the yard. He wanted the keys to the truck and was very mad that I wouldn’t give them to him. He hasn’t had an episode like this for several months. Once he’d settled down, we both apologized — as I hadn’t handled it like I should have either. We looked back at the last couple of days and kind of figured out what might have been going on. He’s still not willing to go to the dr or to Urgent Care. However, he was willing to try a couple of things that might make him feel better.

LATER: We were able to watch one of the shows he really likes (Finding Your Roots) because he’s hoping he’ll find an idea that will open the window or door to finding the links to his great-grandfather and beyond on his paternal line. We’ve been at a standstill on that line for as long as I can remember and even a paid genealogist hasn’t been able to find some additional hints or leads for the family. It was a good episode, however, no no ideas came to light for either of us.

POSITIVES:
He found some quiet reflection time after the outburst.
He was willing to try some easy on the tummy foods for dinner and drink some Gator-ade since he was pretty dehydrated.
He was able to share his feelings without being angry — and tell us a little more about why he was so angry earlier.
He has slept without interruption all night Tuesday.

Take good notes.

CAREGIVER NOTE:
Vivid dreams ✓✓
Unmake and remake bed ✓
Dress and undress ✓
It was another one of those nights. I’m really hoping that we’ll see a shift in the circle soon.

POSITIVES:
Sat on the deck enjoying some fresh air for about 30 minutes yesterday
Good conversation throughout most of the day- though I am seeing some faltering in finding words at times
In good spirits for most of the day — no sundowning to speak of, just wanting to go to bed early.

blessings

CAREGIVER NOTE:
Another wild dream last night. Thankfully, it was short-lived and he was able to go back to sleep without any more instances of “visitors and yelling.”

POSITIVES:
A few well intended zingers
He suggested a bath and set the schedule for it
Lots of lucid moments – asking questions about something he seemed very interested in

Do your best every day.  

CAREGIVER NOTE:
Still not having quite the desired results since we updated his night time meds. However, he has slept a full six hours without any talking, yelling or screaming. I’ll take it.

We had a pretty good day overall — and he ate pretty good yesterday, including most of the taco he built on his plate last evening. His plate was full and there was just a bit of meat left – the tortilla (street taco size) and all of the veggies were gone when he was ready to get up from the table. No spices or salsa – were included in his meal.

POSITIVES:
He enjoyed listening to some Easy Listening music last night and made several positive comments about how relaxing it was.
We had a good conversation about the happenings of the day at the dinner table
He enjoyed the surprise treat of some fresh strawberries with his lunch yesterday.

Reminder…

CAREGIVER NOTES:
We had a pretty good day after a bumpy night. He’s given up on the computer and his games. He is frustrated pretty easily at this point. Hoping for a good day today. It will be a no news sort of day — I can definitely live with that.

POSITIVES:
He took a walk — soaked up a little sun
Watched a football game until the end (which he rarely does)
No diving into rabbit holes while talking about a memory from more than 70 years ago

wishing you ….

some awesome “no word” moments today.

CAREGIVER NOTES:

I do hope the change in his meds will be a good one — Last night’s vivid dream actually got him out of bed and asking for help. I’m glad I was awake enough to be aware of what was happening and could help him work through things. The “shadows” were gone after turning on the lights and he was open to going back to bed after ensuring him that he had done his part and things were going to be okay and everyone was fine. At least it wasn’t the sort of dream that consisted of yelling, screaming and being angry.

POSITIVES:
Flexible in making some last minute changes in the routine for the day
Excited that T was able to spend most of the day with him
Was interested in watching something other than news for several hours

Choose good friends….

Choose good friends and keep your family close.

CAREGIVER NOTE:
After consulting with his dr (again) we’ve decided to make another change to his nighttime meds. Fingers crossed this will help as he hasn’t had a full night’s uninterrupted sleep in quite a few nights now. The cycle hasn’t reverted back to a full night’s sleep. Fingers crossed the change will help and in a hurry. I’m grateful she called last night to discuss the meds issue — especially since it was her day off and she’d worked late the evening before. We’re REALLY going to miss her as she’s retiring at the end of the year… we’ll meet her replacement next month when he goes in for his appointment.

Yesterday he got pretty upset with himself after spilling his drink. Accidents happen and we never make a big deal over them. It’s generally, just an oops and let’s get that cleaned up and get back to the regular stuff. It took him nearly 30 minutes to get over the spill and causing what he called “trouble.” It really wasn’t a big deal and I got to thinking afterwards that maybe that was something he “was missing.” Maybe previously someone has made a big deal of a spill while he was in rehab…. and he wanted the “fireworks” that had come with it (lots of juicy connection and recognition – although not of the good kind). That just doesn’t happen here. It’s done and over with and the mess cleaned up and we move on to the next thing.

POSITIVES:
Zingers and there were a couple of good ones
conversations with family members about different current topics
Asked for help when it was needed