caregiver

Be a cheerful giver of joy today.

CAREGIVER NOTE:

His face lit up last evening when dinner was placed in front of him. It’s not too often we hit a local fast food joint for a burger and fries (his choice)… there were even enough pickles on the burger to keep him happy. Two bites of the burger and about 6 fries and he was satisfied and done. Some nights he eats really well and others — well, it’s a bite or two and he’s good. Last evening, it was the later while the night before he filled his plate and ate everything he’d put on it.

Conversations down memory lane — a few things are still bothering him about a couple of his uncles that he was very close to while growing up. We looked a few things up late last night during our chat – found a few things he’d like to check out and correct if possible and today, if he wants, we’ll open the book on that side of the family and see what treasures we can find in there.

Hang in there…. 

CAREGIVER NOTE:

It’s definitely fall weather and cool enough that he needs a little more warmth to be comfortable. We flipped the switch from AC to Heat yesterday — he was thrilled! He still wore a heavy sweater for most of the day while things warmed up enough to his liking. He found a bit of loose yarn to play and pull on – thankfully, he didn’t undo any stitches in it while tugging on it or else the sweater might not have been fixable. I’ve re-secured the yarn into the sweater and hopefully, he won’t be minus a sweater on the cooler days that are coming our way for a bit longer this season.

Be your best you today and always! 

CAREGIVER NOTE:

A smile, a few moments of laughter, a good night’s sleep and a rub on the dog’s head a couple of times during the course of his day. Loves his hot dogs and sauerkraut for lunch. Would likely eat it for a second meal if offered that day. Enjoys watching the news — has little interest in much else at the moment. Stories from long ago and “visits” with family members long gone make up most of the conversation when he wants to share what he’s been thinking about.

The weather is changing — Fall temps have arrived as have the rains. No AC needed yesterday and today, we might need to switch the heat on to keep things a little more comfortable for him.

Notice the small things throughout your day.  

CAREGIVER NOTE:

A walk around the garden late yesterday afternoon. He noticed the squash and pumpkins still on the vines, though not quite ready to harvest. A few tomatoes that are still too green to pick and was disappointed that there wasn’t any corn to take in and cook for dinner. The peach tree has just a few pieces of fruit clinging to the highest branches and the apples are beginning to turn red. He senses the change in the season as the days start much cooler and the sky darkens sooner.

He got a bit turned around last night in his room. He couldn’t find his way out. He couldn’t find the door. We went through a list of things he might need before going back to sleep. He seemed happy to know there was a door and he wasn’t locked in and the door could be left open for a little more light to come in.

He’s recognizing a “fuzz” as he calls it in his brain. He knows can’t remember things and can’t process thoughts clearly. It bothers him a lot. He’s sharing stories I haven’t heard before — but often gets stuck at a certain point and that portion of the story is repeated numerous times with just a few minor changes here and there. Hoping for stories again today…. sharing them makes him feel a little more alive.

What’s around the corner for you?

CAREGIVER NOTE:

Memories were a big part of the day. Stories that hadn’t been shared previously. Experiences that seemed like they happened yesterday – because in his mind they did. Sharing the day with him was a joy as he shared a portion of a day in the life of … with me. Looking forward to another similar experience in the days to come as the long term memories are vivid and so close to the surface.