Alzheimer’s/Dementia

important

You have important work to do today.

CAREGIVER NOTE:

He is pretty stealthy. Looks like it’s time to put a motion detector in his room. He was dressed and nearly ready to leave. I’m sure if he’d had his shoes on he would have put his coat on too to try to get to his “destination” so as not to disappoint the visitors in his dream. It took a little time to convince him that at such a late hour they wouldn’t be upset if he didn’t show up right then. We made an alternative plan to make a call during the daylight hours and he could visit them via video call later in the day. Not sure if he’ll remember that when he gets up, but I’m ready if he does. 

Listen to your heart.

CAREGIVER NOTE:

He so wants to clear the confusion — have things be the way they used to be. It’s so difficult at times listening to him trying to figure “it” out and put things to right in “his thinking.” Last night was another evening of revisiting something he was concerned about. Listening, providing information he asked for and being patient as he worked through things.   

Where will your choices take you today?

CAREGIVER NOTE:

More stories about his brother Jack. He really idolized him as a child and beyond. I think I need to go take a look at a couple of the binders we have and see if the one story he shared last night can be found in one of them. He talked about an article in a magazine that featured his brother. I’m pretty sure that there’s a copy of the article in there — his wife was a keeper of all things regarding family. 

Laugh a little today

an oldie but goodie…..

CAREGIVER NOTE:

Another late night opportunity to listen last evening. He’d been in bed for a couple of hours, got up, dressed and came out just as I was getting ready to call it a night. He thought it was time for breakfast. He needed to talk and share his concerns and frustrations — he recognizes and shared that he gets confused more often then what he thinks is normal — that he has dementia and it scares him. He wants to do more, but isn’t sure what he can or should do. We talked about some things he’d like to do — and some things he assumed he couldn’t. It was fun to point out that he was already doing many of the things he wanted to do — and while there were a couple that probably weren’t safe for him to do at the moment with more than a foot of snow on the ground, we would certainly revisit a few of them when it gets warmer outside.

He reminded me of the experiences in the garden this past summer. And while he couldn’t physically do many of the things he used to do a few years back, he wants to be a part of the process again this spring and summer. We’re very happy to oblige and now with the deck, we can add a couple of box planters for some flowers he mentioned wanting to have. 

By the time he was ready to go back to bed, there was a smile on his face and he seemed very content and knowing in that moment, things were okay and he was okay and safe.