caregiver

experience

CAREGIVER NOTE:

Not so many laughable moments the last couple of days, but we have had lots of good moments — good spirits and smiles. He has been missing his news, though. We’re supposed to have a tech arrive in a couple of hours to hopefully “fix” the current issue and resolve a couple of others we’ve been having in recent days.

He kind of likes “binging” on shows he’s found he likes on a streaming channel. I think we’ll try to find a couple of others for those just in case moments we’re bound to have in the future.

One. Step. At. A. Time.

CAREGIVER NOTE:
He was in pretty good spirits, but preferred to stay indoors again yesterday. He was getting some steps in, just not as many as he should have for the day.

Moments to remember:
After helping him out of his chair: You’re old and strong, I’m young and weak
Let’s watch that British show about the old stuff
After his bath: Can I bug you? I’m not really hungry or shouldn’t be, but I am. What can I eat? (9pm)

be the change today

CAREGIVER NOTE:
He was the “change” yesterday. It was a delight to be a part of his day and see the sparkle in his eye. Despite not sleeping particularly well the previous night, he was full of energy once he was fully awake. He wanted to go out to lunch, see what was happening in the neighborhood and at their favorite stopping point after eating out. Once home, he took a short snooze and was ready for what the afternoon had to offer. I think part of that good in his world was the fact that he had some additional one on one time with his son yesterday. They really enjoyed it.

Moments to remember from the day:
About Face!
“Are those my shoes? I don’t think they will fit”
“Let’s watch the show that has prices on those old things.” (Antique Roadshow)
Thank you.

nourish your mind

CAREGIVER NOTE:

He wanted to talk about his parents yesterday — there was disappointment when he realized he couldn’t talk face to face with them any longer – despite his memory telling him otherwise. He wanted dates of birth and death and wanted to see it on paper, though the print was too small for him to read even with his reading glasses. I guess magnifying glass is next on our list to purchase for him. I was able to bring up the information on the computer for him and make things large enough for him to read a little bit better and he was very grateful that information was available and so accessible with just a few clicks on the mouse. I’ve been toying with an idea of a family tree for a little while and I guess it’s time to make one that is large, visual and tactile for him. Getting a start on collecting the pictures for him so we can begin the process of making that and hopefully, it will be done before his birthday in a couple of weeks.

You are the magic…

CAREGIVER NOTE:

His filters for some things are pretty much gone. Forgetting the basic notion that parading naked in front of the window is a not so good thing… well, 3 times in one day is the charm. Stopping at the local home improvement store today to pick up and apply some film to his bedroom picture window… more difficult to see in, but he’ll still be able to have light filter through and he will be able see outside.

I’m grateful he’s still able to laugh, tell jokes, throw a zinger or two and tell his stories. When those are gone, it will be so much harder.