caregiver

Where will your thoughts lead you?

CAREGIVER NOTES:

We spent a little time outside yesterday — not much because it was rather warm, but he marveled at the color of blue in the cloudless sky. He did notice that the mountains had more color – reds, oranges and golds against the dark green of the pines and cedars.

He’s still fixated on something he sees as a problem — he had another “visit” with his uncle yesterday afternoon and he brought it up in our afternoon conversation for the second day in a row. The problem is worrisome to him and we haven’t found the right words to help him resolve it in his mind. Maybe today will be the day. Fingers crossed.

POSITIVES:
He was excited to hear that we were having ribs for dinner ( it is his favorite) and literally cleaned his plate.
Smiles in the morning – laughter before bed
No malfunctions in the bathroom yesterday! I’m not sure who was more happy about that — him or me!

Think good thoughts — 

CAREGIVER NOTES:

It was a tough day — two plugged receptacles in the bathroom and of course the accompanying overflow and dripping into the basement on the second go round. He doesn’t remember trying to flush a half roll of TP on the second overflow of the day. I do have to give him credit for trying to clean up a bit, however. Not sure if the mid-day vivid dream/hallucinations and ensuing conversation was the worst thing or not – however, grateful we just happened to have a virtual visit scheduled with his PCP and thankfully, the dr was willing to make an adjustment to his meds and hopefully, that will help as things go on. I’m very glad the dr is willing to listen and understands how dementia progresses and what her patients needs are and has compassion for their caregivers as they navigate this aging process as well.

POSITIVES:
HIs smile was big and broad for most of the day
He ate well during the course of the day – and asked for healthier snacks
Was interested and contributed to a couple of conversations and shared a laugh or two as well.

consider it…

CAREGIVER NOTE:
Dr.’s virtual visit on the calendar today – regarding medications. It’s been 6 months since our last discussion and it’s time for a possible change in one of his meds as his dementia continues to deepen and other things pop up.

I do remember his first days with us and the huge differences between him and Mom just a couple of years ago. They were very challenging for all of us.

POSTIVES:
He shared some play time with the dog and was still mindful of the dog’s surgical site.
Lots of smiles and laughter during the day
Less anxiety than normal when he shared some details about a past incident with family

Show kindness in your world today.

CAREGIVER NOTE:

He walked out the front door yesterday, if I hadn’t heard the door catch…..he might have gotten much further before I noticed he was missing – I was able to catch up with him just as he made it to the bottom of the ramp. By the time we walked back from the neighbor’s driveway, he was complaining about his hip hurting. His gait is more of a shuffle now. He still refuses to use the walker as a help. He needed help with his bedtime routine last evening — terribly confused.

POSITIVES:
He was conversational for a good part of the day and into the evening
He was really gentle with the dog and showed genuine concern about her incision site and making sure she was okay through the day
He enjoyed watching a show of his choice after dinner and seemed really drawn into it for a while, asking questions and responding so some of what was going on.

9.19.24

CAREGIVER NOTE:
We spent nearly an hour outside yesterday. It was so nice and he loved the watching the birds flying to and from the feeders, listening to the sounds in the air and watching the clouds move across the sky and behind the mountain to the east.

POSITIVES:
Laughter and smiles
Compassion for his dog
Expressions of thanks for the little things