Trouble’s Afoot
Jim has diabetic feet. He had diabetes for a long time before it was diagnosed which created a foundation for several serious complications as he’s aged. Foot problems are a common occurrence with diabetes. In fact, it was problems with Jim’s feet that led to a diagnosis of the disease. These days, the circulation …. Read More
Fixation Explained
A lot of caring for someone with dementia is managing our own expectations. As the disease progresses, we have to constantly remind ourselves that it takes away more than just memories. It takes away a person’s ability to think and therefore function. You know this. I know this, and yet we are caught by …. Read More
Fear Of Abandonment
Jim recognizes he is faltering and it scares him. He often asks if he can be doing more to make me happy. Which breaks me because I know he can’t, no matter how hard he tries. He will continue to decline and I will take over more and more of a management role in …. Read More
New Security Measures
New security measures. I think the thing that scared me most about Jim’s fall the other day was that I was only 20 feet away and didn’t know there was a problem. Even though I was on the same floor as him, the vibration of his fall didn’t reach me out on the deck. Until …. Read More
Jim Fell
One of my worst nightmares came true. We got up and did our regular grocery shopping first thing Saturday morning. It was such a nice day that after putting everything away; I took my cup of coffee out to the back deck while Jim sat at the dining room table with his coffee, reading …. Read More
Lost
I’m not sure if it’s the aftermath of the incredibly hot temperatures we had last weekend, or just a new phase of dementia. Jim seems lost this week. Outwardly I don’t see much different in the way he remembers things or navigates through his day. Inwardly though he seems to be unsure/lost. As if …. Read More
Dos And Don’ts Of Dementia Care
I found a lovely short yet comprehensive list of Dos and Don’ts for dealing with dementia patients. 15 Dementia Care Do’s and Don’ts (homecareassistance.com) It’s a nice refresher for me because when I’m in the thick of answering the same question for the umpteenth time, I don’t always have the mind space to step …. Read More
Changing Sleep Patterns
One of the symptoms of dementia I’ve been dreading is the change in sleep patterns. Jim already requires less sleep than I do and now he has trouble staying awake during the day and staying asleep at night. He’s not interested in exercise, and busy days have him snoozing before supper. (see the Alzheimer’s …. Read More
Hard Question To Answer Honestly
My life with Jim has changed drastically since the beginning of his decline due to dementia. Every day tips the balance more toward being a caregiver and away from being a wife. I see it clearly but Jim is for the most part oblivious (for which I am thankful). Unfortunately, he isn’t completely unaware. …. Read More
Abandoned
It’s been a rough couple of weeks and I’ve been felling somewhat abandoned. I also feel like I’m whining again. Which irritates me, because I hate whining, especially when it’s me doing it. So I took a page from last week and found someone else to talk about abandonment. There is a wonderful blog …. Read More