Don’t get so stuck you miss out on the good that’s happening all around you.

CAREGIVER NOTES”

Memories lost — though there were a few glimmers of remembered moments. He couldn’t remember 20 years of working after his military service, but he could remember the 2 years between the military and his other job. He couldn’t remember the house he and his wife bought and finished raising their family in, but he could remember the houses he lived in with his parents and grandparents. It was a difficult evening for him. He was sad, but did find some joy in a couple of good memories despite still not being able to put some pieces of his memories back together. He calls them “the holes.”

Good things for the day:
laughter
smiles
silliness
good food
buying new clothes

CAREGIVER NOTE:
An additional day of pacing — not sure what he’s worried or concerned about, but hopefully, filling his wallet again with a little more cash helped resolve some worry he might have had. Or it could simply be that he’s having a difficult time with the house being a little darker than the norm as we’re trying to keep the heat out and not have to keep the AC going 24/7. So he could be doing a little more than his normal sundowning due to the curtains and blinds being closed in the living area more than not.

He ate several mini meals during the day… He couldn’t remember eating something an hour previously. He was still very hungry around dinner time and ate nearly everything on his plate and was very content for the rest of the evening.

Hoping for a good day today and tomorrow. And that the transition from having an “extra” here will be an easy one come Thursday as company is leaving for their home on the east coast. I’m really hoping he’ll adjust a little easier than the last time, but not holding my breath as we’ve entered another phase of dementia.

CAREGIVER NOTE:

Quiet day overall. He enjoyed opening cards and his big gift is still not quite ready to hang on the wall, but it should be today. He’s looked it over several times and gave it his approval.

He got pretty confused about a couple of things yesterday. He seemed to sort things out by the end of the evening, however, so that was a “gift.”

MOMENTS:
He remembered how to make a part of his birthday card move so he could show it off to another family member at the end of the day.
He was thrilled to have his all time 2nd favorite meal served while watching one of his favorite shows.
His smile and the twinkle in his eye were a delight to see and we even heard him laugh a couple of times while on the phone with a member of the family.

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.

an oldie but a goodie.

CAREGIVER NOTE:

Seems we’re back into a cycle of dreams and living in the past again. Yesterday’s afternoon conversations after a very early wake-up were about visiting with his parents and an uncle and his seeing his uncle’s clock on the mantle of his house yesterday. I do learn a few things about his experiences during these conversations… however, they often lead to vivid dreams during the night. Last night was no exception. Wide awake, dressed for the day and ready to take a trip north — he wanted to go to the bank and talk about some business with some property he was helping his dad with.

Thankfully, after some talk, a bit of laughter and his realizing that it was nighttime and not daytime, he was willing to have a “late night snack,” sit and visit for a little while and then go back to bed. I’m not sure how today will go, but I’m hoping for a good day overall.