CAREGIVER NOTE:

Visitors are always welcomed! It was so nice to watch the interchange between the two yesterday and how both of them enjoyed the visit despite the less than ideal circumstances — but they ignored the noise of the service tech’s machinery and carried on! It was beautiful and the rest of the day was quite pleasant as well.

CAREGIVER NOTE:

Reminder to self. We’re on a journey. The disease is not who he really is. Don’t confuse the two. Walk it together – deep breaths and be calm despite the confusion. Listen. There are a lot of clues in what they say towards finding the answer they’re seeking. 

Blessings multiply as your gratitude grows.

CAREGIVER NOTE:

The sundowning is getting worse. I need to find some answers that will help us all get through this phase. He doesn’t like to listen to music much, he doesn’t want more light – though the lights are on all day long unless he requests them off if he wants to nap in his chair. We have added an after dinner snack – which does seem to be helping some. He did eat really well last night — only feeding half of his piece of chicken to the dog. We’ve definitely moved into the 5 -6 small meals a day — his favorite choice is toast with jam. He does have some independent choices in what he eats for breakfast and lunch and in between meals and at times fixes it himself with some supervision. Our evening meal isn’t so much a choice, but is generally something he enjoys and has expressed a desire to eat recently. 

an oldie but goodie…..

CAREGIVER NOTE:

Another late night opportunity to listen last evening. He’d been in bed for a couple of hours, got up, dressed and came out just as I was getting ready to call it a night. He thought it was time for breakfast. He needed to talk and share his concerns and frustrations — he recognizes and shared that he gets confused more often then what he thinks is normal — that he has dementia and it scares him. He wants to do more, but isn’t sure what he can or should do. We talked about some things he’d like to do — and some things he assumed he couldn’t. It was fun to point out that he was already doing many of the things he wanted to do — and while there were a couple that probably weren’t safe for him to do at the moment with more than a foot of snow on the ground, we would certainly revisit a few of them when it gets warmer outside.

He reminded me of the experiences in the garden this past summer. And while he couldn’t physically do many of the things he used to do a few years back, he wants to be a part of the process again this spring and summer. We’re very happy to oblige and now with the deck, we can add a couple of box planters for some flowers he mentioned wanting to have. 

By the time he was ready to go back to bed, there was a smile on his face and he seemed very content and knowing in that moment, things were okay and he was okay and safe. 

CAREGIVER NOTES:
“Where are the keys?” ”Where are my car and truck?” ”Why are all those kids being so loud?” Just a few of the questions asked last night and there were a few more the night before — He was very confused, but at least he accepted the answers that were offered and he was able to relax a bit and go back to bed. This caregiver, however, is very tired this morning — Fingers crossed for a good day and better night. I think he senses the incoming change of weather as well. 

CAREGIVER NOTE:

Another long and late night. More questions about his finances. He’s not able to wrap his head around things and keep track. He’s worried he doesn’t have enough or that he’s not helping enough. I hope we were able to allay his fears a bit and show him that he was doing okay. That there was sufficient for his needs each month and a buffer for unexpected things. Today is another day…..