Making Life Simple
Let me state for the record I hate housework. I always have and I expect I always will. Luckily, my hatred for filth exceeds my dislike of housework, so my house is reasonably clean. A quick vacuum, dusting and paper/clutter clearing make my house presentable for guests. So while I’m not a complete slob, …. Read More
The Alternative, Pros and Cons
My aunt died this past week. Thanks to Covid and living so far away from my family, it’s really highlighted the isolation I feel. Even without Covid, I wouldn’t have been able to travel to be with my family because of Jim’s limitations. My aunt had several health issues along with a recent diagnosis …. Read More
When They’re Losing Themselves
Over the past few weeks Jim has become lost. He’s not able to do the things he used to accomplish easily and he can no longer use his wits to figure out where he’s gone wrong. He’s embarrassed and hates having to admit that he doesn’t know what’s happening around him. His shoulders slump, …. Read More
Motion Detector Night Lights
One of the things the books tell you is that your Dementia patient will start to wander. Sometimes during the day and other times at night. As with most older folks, eyesight becomes an issue which increases the chance of your night wanderer falling. One of the benefits of the modern home is all …. Read More
Amazon Alexa / Google Home
In my initial rush to upload the posts I’d written when I was deciding to do this blog, I realized I’d forgotten to tell about the various ways I’m using technology to help me care for Jim on a daily basis. In 2017 a friend and I were talking about his fascination with the …. Read More
Rollercoaster Decline
Over the past year, Jim’s steady decline has begun to ebb and flow into good days and bad days. Lately, I’ve noticed a larger cognitive, multifaceted rollercoaster operating in the back ground. Now it seems that each type of cognitive function has it’s own schedule. He can seem to be having a good day …. Read More
Days When You Just Can’t Seem To Suck It Up
I feel like I’m being hard on myself this week. I feel like perhaps I’m looking after me a little more than looking after Jim but truthfully, I don’t think I’m really looking after me either This is a cycle. I’ve been here before, it’s a little self-protective, like burrowing deep into a cocoon. …. Read More
Medications Revisited
One of the topics the Geriatric Assessment doctor and I talked about was the option for medications. I’ve been on the fence since before they were mentioned four months ago. My concern has always been about prolonging this stage of decline. In my pea-brain, it seems that this would be the worst stage to …. Read More
Frustration About Being Parented
We’re in another cycle of Jim being resentful because I’m correcting him and dissuading him from doing what he wants. Sadly, we’re also at the stage where little of what he wants to do is safe, or even makes much sense) His frustration definitely seems to come and go in waves. This time was …. Read More
Over-Compensating To Avoid Upset
There are several times that I wonder if I’m over-compensating to avoid Jim’s adverse reactions. Keeping him away from situations where the memories triggered may not all be positive, instead of letting them play out naturally. For example, Jim ‘was retired’. Notice the passive tense. He didn’t want to retire, he didn’t see a …. Read More