CAREGIVER NOTE:

His interest is peaked in the process of a deck being added to the house at the back. We started with the tear down of the old landing yesterday. He is intrigued by the steps we’ll be taking to build the handicapped accessible deck he’ll be able to use while he’s ambulatory or even in a wheelchair. He checked on the progress several times yesterday afternoon. We showed him the drawings and the discussed the next steps several times throughout the day and evening. He was wanting the next step to start ASAP, even though it was dark outside during our last conversation. He is excited, but nervous about what the birds will do when we have to move the feeders when we hang the supports next week. I told him we’d figure it out so he wouldn’t miss out on seeing the birds at the feeders and maybe even being able to watch the workers putting up the deck.

CAREGIVER NOTE:

Confusion about what day, year and season is part of our every day life at the moment. He still can dress and feed himself and occasionally make a sandwich for a snack or meal. He makes his bed every morning and keeps his room tidy. We still try to focus on at least 3 positives that happen in his day — even if most of them have been memories of days long gone. He’s at a loss at times when he realizes he is the last living family member of his generation — He can’t grasp it at times — but then for a moment, it sinks in and the tears roll down his face. We’ve talked about his posterity and the legacy he has created for them. We have a visual idea to share with him. Hoping we can pull it together in the next month or so.

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.

Build in a little self-care time in your daily routine.  

CAREGIVER NOTE:

At a loss…. yesterday was an “out of sorts” day from the get go. A small reset worked for part of the day, but not the entire day and we were back to square one with more resets to try to move forward. He’s recognizing that his energy levels are flagging a bit and his eyesight is getting a bit worse. I do hope that today will be a much better day and he’ll be willing to help with some things that I know he can do successfully.