Geriatric Assessment
Jim was originally diagnosed with dementia in April 2020. It was right at the start of the pandemic, so it was a phone assessment rather than an in person appointment. This time, we got the full experience. Jim handled it like a champ. It was a two hour appointment where they tested his balance and …. Read More
Something is Afoot
We’re on day four of antibiotics for Jim’s foot. His toes are still discoloured with infection and if he doesn’t keep it elevated, it swells uncomfortably. Jim is stunned every time he tried to stand. He’s shocked when I say he’s had a sore foot for almost a week. If it was my foot, I’d …. Read More
Review And Reflect
I took time last night and read this blog from start to finish. HO-LY CRAP! This has been an adventure. The worst kind of one, but still an adventure. I have to give myself, and all other caregivers, more credit. In hindsight, I was doing so much better than I thought I was. I’d …. Read More
Hello Again, It’s Been A While.
I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner, but recently I joined two online dementia caregiver groups via Facebook. It’s been beneficial. Not only am I learning from people slightly ahead of me in the process, I can share what I’ve learned to those coming behind me. It’s validating at a time …. Read More
Welcome to 2023
Happy New Year! May you have joy and peace this year. It’s been a rough few months. I have barely been writing. Hell I haven’t been reading as much as I used to either. However, there has been a lot of me staring blankly into space, contemplating life and how to handle the coming …. Read More
Hiking Poles
After Jim’s recent falls and general unsteadiness, I bought him a set of hiking poles. While technically, this isn’t using technology, the new style of poles are strong and light-weight. I’ve mentioned the possibility of using them before and been met with outright rejection. He wasn’t interested in them at all. This time I …. Read More
Time Flies
We’re coming up on three months since our move across the country. For the most part, Jim has not regained much of his short term memory after the decline, I’d hoped, was due to the stress from packing up the old house and settling into the new one. Today though, he surprised me by …. Read More
Don’t Judge Me
I wasn’t going to write about this incident because it made me feel judged and pretty crappy. Then I realized, I’m not alone, and most caregivers are made to feel like that aren’t doing enough from casual onlookers who don’t understand what it’s like. It was my aunt’s birthday and it was the first …. Read More
Adapting
I realized this morning just how long it’s been since I’ve updated. Lots has happened. Jim has settled in to his new surroundings. He mostly understands we live here now, even though he still asks if there is a bathroom in this place. Luckily, his muscle memory takes over at night and he has …. Read More
Moving With Dementia
Anyone living with a person who has dementia, will eventually have to move them. Most of us can’t afford medical home care. Hopefully, it won’t be until the disease is far enough advanced that they will no longer be aware of their surroundings. Jim is half way there. We talked about the possibility of …. Read More