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)
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.
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.
CAREGIVER NOTE:
He was a bit “off” yesterday during the morning hours – he was definitely doing things out of his normal routine start of the day. Once he realized what he was doing, he got back on his normal track and things went pretty good. He spent a good portion of his day talking about things in the past and sharing old stories — no new twists.
He’s had two good nights of sleep — we’ll see how tonight and tomorrow go in our test of the new meds. The dizziness has lessened considerably and he felt much more confident in getting around yesterday; not having to stop here and there to gain his balance, or needing extra help to get from point A to point B — though using the walker is still not on his “need to use” list at the moment — he has an arm to lean on in his treks from place to place. There was a little anxiety in the afternoon — not sure if it was because of the cloud cover or if he was starting to cycle into the worry zone about something. We did sit and he shared some thoughts going through his head, but nothing that led me to believe he would go to the “melt down zone” before the end of the day.
CAREGIVER NOTE:
appointment with his dr went very well. Another change to his meds was discussed and hopefully there will be no “hangover” or excess dizziness to deal with. We were able to get the new med last evening and he had his first dose. He slept much calmer and no night walk or attempt to leave the house. No yelling or screaming — doesn’t mean that he won’t in the future, but last night, everyone in the house got an extra hour or two of uninterrupted sleep and so did he!
He was willing to go and get a haircut and a trim on his beard yesterday afternoon. No dizziness, but he did refuse to take his sunglasses with him and then couldn’t understand why he was “blind” for a little while after coming in from the beautifully bright and sunny outdoors.
Looks like I need to move one of the bird feeders today. The volunteer sunflowers have grown so big and tall that the birds can’t get to the feeder as of yesterday. Now to figure out where to put it…. I have an idea…. we’ll see if that works.
CAREGIVER NOTE:
Lots of vivid dreams last night. Trying to get out the front door — thank heavens for the hotel latch that sticks or else he might have gotten out.
Video chat with his dr today… glad that was already scheduled. Hoping to get a few new ideas on how to approach a couple of things that have been happening and find a sleep aid that won’t cause additional dizziness.
Include some fun in today’s “to do” list.
CAREGIVER NOTE:
He did pretty well yesterday — no sundowning and was up later than his norm. We’re going to have to find another nighttime aid med that won’t cause dizziness the day after. Melatonin worked fine with helping him sleep, however, the daytime dizziness is becoming worrisome and definitely increases the chance of a fall. Calling the dr. tomorrow for some additional suggestions.
Greatitudes 