Ability Roulette
It looks like we’ve climbed aboard the ability roulette game. It’s different than the slow rollercoaster of good days and bad days because only specific tasks are affected. He can be having a great day, relaxed and aware and then hours later, I find something he’d done that leaves me scratching my head muttering WTF …. Read More
Shifting from Observing to Management and Beyond
A friend and I were talking the other day about how Jim seemed to be declining faster over the past few weeks. Part of it, at least I think, part of it had to do with the holidays and the highlighting of how distant his family is from each other. He worries how big and …. Read More
Guilt For Taking Time For Yourself
There are so many dimensions to caregiving. There are so many layers to looking after another person and trying not to burn yourself out in the process. Guilt, for example, is a multi-pronged attack on caregivers, more powerful than anyone gives it credit for. Especially when you are the spouse/care-giver. ‘Til death do you part’ …. Read More
Losing Interest in Interests
I come from a long line of people with multiple interests. Both sides of my family are creators. My mother and grandmothers knit, crochet, craft, cook, bake, read for pleasure and to learn new things. My dad’s creativity leaned toward building. It seemed that he could make anything out of spare parts. In my …. Read More
A Silver Lining to Memory Loss
Over the years, I’ve learned several I have specific ways to cope with life’s difficulties. I need to find silver linings in hard situations. I will search for positive aspects, even if its just to fool myself into thinking that the situation isn’t as bad as it appears. Today’s silver lining is that Jim …. Read More
Protecting the Guilty
I’m a huge reader. I need to be prepared so that I can best face what’s coming. Decades ago when I was trying to get pregnant, I’d read 4 pregnancy books, including the scary chapters about what could go wrong, just so I’d know what to watch out for. Once I knew the risks, …. Read More
Convincing Someone They Are Fragile Without Breaking Them
How do you talk to someone about their diminishing memory and abilities– before you have the diagnosis of Dementia? How do you convince then to exercise more caution when they no longer understand the risks of their actions? In Canada, there is a wellness form for doctors to fill out as each patient approaches 80. …. Read More