Presents Well
I think ‘Presenting Well’ is the bane of existence for most caregivers. It’s like dementia is purposefully gaslighting the caregiver in the public eye. At home, Jim is forgetful. Unless he is confused about something, and then he’s like a dog with a bone, focused, asking questions that he can’t remember the answer to, …. Read More
Forget or Fixate
Over the past few weeks Jim seems to have lost his middle ground. It’s either forget or fixate. The forgetting isn’t hard to deal with as a caregiver I’ve grown used to it. But holy-moly the fixation is unrelenting – Especially for things that cannot be accomplished immediately. It’s like they’re on a continuous …. Read More
Encourage Interests and Hobbies
I’ve probably talked about this before but it’s worth repeating. Help your loved one keep their interests and hobbies. Part of the helplessness I feel right now is because Jim doesn’t want to do anything. Even without the specter of Covid hanging over us, Jim isn’t interested in going out or doing anything. He’s …. Read More
Finding Timely Help
I don’t know about you, but lately I’ve been in my own little bubble. Getting through each day, grateful to have my husband and devastated in the decline of his ability to understand the world around him. The past few weeks have seen me cling to my schedule with an iron heart. Afraid to …. Read More
Fresh Air
April showers bring May flowers. I live in the Pacific North West. Spring was happening before the season changed on the calendar. I grew up on the East Coast, where winter hangs on a little longer. For most of us, spring has started by this time of year. Even though they may not consciously …. Read More
Diet and Dementia
In most of the reading I’ve done, there is often a diet component in the prevention/delay the onset section. If you’re just starting this journey, it’s worth paying attention too. For both your loved one with dementia and for you, the caregiver. It’s not coincidence that the heart healthy diet, the one for diabetes, …. Read More
Bittersweet Anniversary
Today is very bittersweet. It’s our wedding anniversary. Jim is a very traditional guy. He never forgets a birthday or anniversary. He’s usually the fellow who has a celebration plan weeks in advance. Last year, even in the thick of the pandemic, he made sure we celebrated. This year, his ability to connect day …. Read More
Family Visits vs The Pandemic
So far, the pandemic hasn’t affected us very much. We’ve been very, very lucky. But, with the administration of vaccines and Jim’s decline. His family are wanting to see him again. They’ve all had the first dose of the vaccine and now, there is another illness in the family that makes visiting loved ones …. Read More
Changing Seasons
We’ve had a warm snap. Normally April is filled with rainy days but this year, we’ve had over a week of sunny, tank-top and shorts weather. It’s completely baffled Jim. He seems to have lost his understanding of how months and seasons fit together. He’s fretting about how there are no leaves on our maple …. Read More
Missed Posts
I’ve missed a couple of blog posts. I’ve been trying to keep to a Monday and Friday posting schedule and I failed. I wish I could say that it was some huge dramatic event, that I just got swamped, or overwhelmed? But the truth of the matter is I took an unplanned break. I’m …. Read More