TuesdayMotivation

With deepest gratitude….

CAREGIVER NOTE:

He enjoyed nearly a half hour out on the deck. The temps have moderated a bit – it’s felt like the end of summer at least for a couple of days. But the heat will be back in another day or so. He enjoyed eating a few blackberries that had been picked and I plan to make a berry crisp with the remaining berries for dinner tonight. They are very good!

No sundowning yesterday, lots of smiles, laughter and joking around. He had a couple of great one-liners that had everyone laughing. Those days are pretty awesome!

It’s time. Be your best you!

CAREGIVER NOTE:
He’s showed some interest in a current creative project – now to find a way for him to help more fully with it as we have at least 75 of each of the components to cut, shape and ink before assembly. I’m hoping I can find a way to have him help and be a part of this project a little more fully. We’ll try a few things today if he’s still interested.

You are all kinds of awesome!

CAREGIVER NOTE:

He got “lost” again last night after a vivid dream and getting out of bed. Thankfully, he was willing to accept the help and get things sorted out and back to bed in just a few minutes. Let’s hope this part of the cycle is short-lived. T will be home today to help, thankfully. Grateful he has quite a few “days left in the bank” he can take.

don’t get stuck

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

experiences

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.

moments

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.

be the change today

CAREGIVER NOTE:
He was the “change” yesterday. It was a delight to be a part of his day and see the sparkle in his eye. Despite not sleeping particularly well the previous night, he was full of energy once he was fully awake. He wanted to go out to lunch, see what was happening in the neighborhood and at their favorite stopping point after eating out. Once home, he took a short snooze and was ready for what the afternoon had to offer. I think part of that good in his world was the fact that he had some additional one on one time with his son yesterday. They really enjoyed it.

Moments to remember from the day:
About Face!
“Are those my shoes? I don’t think they will fit”
“Let’s watch the show that has prices on those old things.” (Antique Roadshow)
Thank you.

6.25.24

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.