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
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
Driving Revisited
Jim was told to stop driving last April – 9 months ago. He was told by the Geriatric Assessment doctor and now he has a chip on his shoulder about speaking to that particular doctor. This is not helped by the fact that this is also the doctor who “doesn’t understand how Jim’s brain …. 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
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
Coping With Repetition
… and now I’m repeating myself. At least I think I am. I’m sure we’ve talked about this before but the stress of the holidays seems to have woken the repetitive beast in my home. (I am not immune – ask my friends. I can’t stop repeating tales because I’m no longer used to …. Read More
Happy New Year
My goals for 2021: Continue to be patient. I’m not the one struggling to remember who I am. Find ways to take a break. I don’t have to be on 24/7 Find support. Don’t let myself get lulled into the trap of “I can do this on my own” Declutter. Both the house and …. Read More