Greatitudes

Live

Every day is a gift….  

CAREGIVER NOTE:

It’s been a very challenging week. Mixed up memories – lots of “how can that be” moments. His yesterday was over 50 years ago. His last retirement was just moments ago and then, he raises the questions, asks for the current date.. can’t fathom the passage of time or the loss of friends and family when he can’t call and talk to them. He tells me often of visits and conversations he’s had with one or more family members who have passed away 15 or more years ago and how real they are. During more lucid moments, he knows things are mixed up and he recognizes that his memories are muddied up a bit.

The gift for this week is that he is still finding some good in every day — recognizing the blessings of having such an incredible life, a family that loves him and many wonderful and fulfilling memories that are still a part of his memory banks and a wonderful posterity to leave them with.

5.8.23

As you reflect on the small and simple things in your day, enjoy the pleasant memories that come to life for you again. 

CAREGIVER NOTE:

Confusion and “missing pieces” are becoming a larger issue if yesterday’s repeated conversations are any indication of what is to come. Mom had already gone through this stage when we became her caregivers, so this is new territory for us with Dad. There are some memories that are jumbled up and he’s not able to connect the dots at this point and it’s both frustrating and confusing for him. After a short pause … and a short nap, we spent another couple of hours trying to pull some good memories from his long term memory bank and it was so nice to see the smiles and hear the joy in his voice as he shared a few childhood stories with me later last evening.

We have an appointment this morning with his PCP. It’s an annual check up and I’m sure that the dementia will be part of the discussion as it was part of the concerns listed for this appointment when completing the registration notes on Friday.