When They’re Losing Themselves
Over the past few weeks Jim has become lost. He’s not able to do the things he used to accomplish easily and he can no longer use his wits to figure out where he’s gone wrong. He’s embarrassed and hates having to admit that he doesn’t know what’s happening around him. His shoulders slump, …. 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
Medications Revisited
One of the topics the Geriatric Assessment doctor and I talked about was the option for medications. I’ve been on the fence since before they were mentioned four months ago. My concern has always been about prolonging this stage of decline. In my pea-brain, it seems that this would be the worst stage to …. 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
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
Common Associations
Over the past few weeks I’ve noticed Jim has lost even more of his ability to determine cause and effect. It’s been a slow, gradual progress since July 2017 when he began losing his complex thought capabilities but lately I’ve noticed he’s consistently missing simple associations. Or rather, the associations are there but they’ve …. Read More
Routines or Bust
Christmas Day was lovely yet very exhausting. Part of me wonders whether I should have forgotten holiday traditions and stuck with Jim’s daily schedule. Even though, Jim himself was keen on keeping the traditions alive. Jim felt that I was eager to unwrap gifts, so he rushed through his morning routine to come out …. Read More
Since Last Christmas
Last Christmas, I watched Jim open his gifts and realized that it would be the last holiday with him. This year, I’m grateful for what we still have. He’s not as incapacitated as I predicted. He’s still charming and witty and has the same personality for the most part even though, he’s no where …. Read More
Newest Memory Downturn
I’ve become used to repeating things several times. Jim will come to ask be about something, turn away after I answer and then turn back and say, “I meant to ask you…” and then ask me the same question again. This has become our normal. When getting ready to post Christmas cards for his …. Read More