When The Bad Days Become The Good Days
I knew these days were coming. In face, I’m sure I blogged about it last Christmas, or perhaps the Christmas before. Back when it started to sink in for me that the days I considered bad memory days, where he’d ask the same question a few times before he finally remembered and did the …. Read More
Medications Revisited
We had a tele-appointment with Jim’s geriatric doctor yesterday and it’s official. After being somewhat stable between his August and January appointments, he’s started to slide again. Nothing I didn’t already know but it’s helpful to have my observations validated. His answers to the MMSE (mini-mental state evaluation) further confirmed that Jim knows where …. Read More
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
Brilliantly Confused
The heat has eased off and still Jim seems more confused than normal. I’m beginning to fear this may be a new stage of dementia. Until now, it’s been mostly his memory affected by this disease but over the past few days, he’s not been himself. He’s hesitant, and questions himself more than I’ve …. 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
Merry-Go-Round of Childhood Tales
Recently, Jim has begun a weird merry-go-round of circular storytelling. He starts telling me of something that happened when he was younger, he comes to the close of the incident and then starts the same story back up again. A five minute story becomes half an hour. It seems to be worse when he …. 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
Fewer Hands Make More Work
Jim’s decline seemed to have stabilized from last August to the beginning of March. Since then I’m noticing a steady stream of tasks that used to be habit but now he forgets. Every afternoon, he used to prep coffee for the following day. He remembers on average 2-3 times a week now. same with …. Read More
Presents Well
I think ‘Presenting Well’ is the bane of existence for most caregivers. It’s like dementia is purposefully gaslighting the caregiver in the public eye. At home, Jim is forgetful. Unless he is confused about something, and then he’s like a dog with a bone, focused, asking questions that he can’t remember the answer to, …. Read More