Weekends are hard for me. My husband works, son is 17 - so that says how much time he wants to spend with me. He's not supposed to want to at his age, and I do treasure the time he does. The worst part of weekends...fixing breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners and all that goes with that. And the daily hygiene stuff all day long. Thank you for my caregiver during the week! We sat outside a little while today enjoying the sunshine and a little breeze.
If you know my dad, you would know that his being quiet is not usual. I wonder...what is he thinking about? If I didn't talk directly to him, I don't think he would say anything all day. He spontaneously laughs at things on the TV, burps loudly and says "pardon me!", thanks me for meals, thanks me for anything I do for him. But what is he thinking? Sometimes I'll say, "penny for your thoughts?" He says, "not a good deal for you because I'm not thinking of anything".
TV can be a lifesaver sometimes. It's usually not on during the day when I am home, but at night when I'm making dinner, I usually turn it on so my dad will get out of the kitchen so I can cook. He hasn't figured out how to use the remote. I don't think he can figure it out. (He can turn it off when I cue him to hit the red button. ) So I scroll through the programs til he says stop, or if he says that "I don't care", I just pick one. He likes to watch the game show channel, and sometimes he yells out the answer. Deal or No Deal is a favorite, "wow, look at her bussoms (aka boobs!)!" He laughs hysterically and very loudly when women wear tight clothing, low cut tops, or if someone on TV is very large. "Look at the size of him/her!" He enjoys watching football, basketball, and baseball with Tom. He sounds just like a guy with his yelling, and hootin' and ahollering!
My last ramble is about time. It's amazing to me that my dad has no idea how long he has been here. There is no planning for showers or shaving...it just has to happen. If I say, you going to take a shower this morning? Even if he says yes, it will never happen. Now I say, "I'm going to get your shower ready". And he follows behind me after getting his stuff ready. Everything is, "in a few minutes", which never comes. So I use my little tricks, and I get what I want!
THIS NEXT THURSDAY IS MY SUPPORT GROUP FOR CAREGIVERS. I CAN'T WAIT!
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Prayer for those Living with Alzheimer's
O God of love, hear our prayer
for all who suffer from Alzheimer's.
In the days of changing memory,be with them in their fears.
In the days when memory has gone, bless their families who suffer.
Surround them with tender love from family, friend, and stranger.
Grant them peace in their hearts, a secure home environment, and dignity in their lives.
May each day bring a blessing, hope and greater love.
Amen.
-Vienna Cobb Anderson
O God of love, hear our prayer
for all who suffer from Alzheimer's.
In the days of changing memory,be with them in their fears.
In the days when memory has gone, bless their families who suffer.
Surround them with tender love from family, friend, and stranger.
Grant them peace in their hearts, a secure home environment, and dignity in their lives.
May each day bring a blessing, hope and greater love.
Amen.
-Vienna Cobb Anderson
About Me
- Marcia
- Chandler, Arizona, United States
- I am a wife, mother of two grown kids, a pediatric occupational therapist, and now...care giver for my 87 year old father who happens to have Alzheimer's. I share this journey with my family, who has shown love, patience, and strength...not to mention great respite, when needed. That was then... Now I am adjusting to life without my dad after his death, and struggling with the aftermath of Alzheimer's Disease.
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1 comment:
Marcia,
Thank you so much for sharing your blog with me. You are such a remarkable daughter first and a remarkable caregiver second. You are the best!
Tara
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