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.

Be a believer in you.

CAREGIVER NOTE:
Dementia is taking a tighter hold. It’s been a crazy week of ups and downs. Good days and bad. Lots of conversations. Finding details, dates and such. Grateful for the moments when you can see connections being made, even if it’s momentary and you know you’ll be repeating the information again and again — at least he isn’t ready to throw in the towel, yet. Today will be a good day, regardless.

Speak well….

See the beauty in everyday miracles.

Fill your day with the “wonder” that surrounds you.

Have compassion for yourself and others. 

Even though our days are jam-packed, it might be good to add these to our to-do list as well.

Look for opportunities to….

The moment is now.

CAREGIVER NOTE:

Always be prepared to listen.

Be a lifelong “becomer.”

CAREGIVER NOTE:

Always keep extra batteries on hand. One of his most loved perpetual motion toys requires batteries. Unfortunately, we hadn’t gotten a fresh supply of them last week when we went shopping. The battery died yesterday. The movement of that particular toy is a constant during his waking hours. He’s hooked on the thing. He took the toy apart several times — hoping that placing the old battery back in would fix the problem. When that didn’t work, he took the main piece off the base and just twirled the circles around and around with his hands for a while. There’s a fresh battery in the toy this morning and he’ll be very happy to “turn it on” and watch it move throughout the day.