Quote of the day, "Well, I never had this before," as John is spooning in this bite of cereal. The granola, banana appeared to be a surprise this morning.
He has settled down with my return home but I find him in total need of attention all the time. Before John would like to listen to a conversation with Ken stopped over. Now John likes to interrupt and wants all the attention of the room.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
John's world
Before taking my trip for a month, I arranged in great detail, caregivers around the clock for John, lists of information to help everyone moving though John's life to understand his routine and needs. In the end, I wonder if any of that mattered.
I came home to find out that John was very agitated, restless and some times combative. He did not recognize his home, he was angry at his grandchildren and he lost his sense of comfort and calmness -- me.
John knew me instantly, was happy to see me. The following week the meds has been cut to a fourth of what was needed while I was gone. He is quiet and calm. The results show how attached John's sense of space and security is connected to me. It places, also, a bigger responsibility and restriction on my life. I have from the beginning of this adventure had the frame of mind, that I take one day at a time and that continues.
For those that read this for insight of changing abilities of John and people with Alzheimer in general, a few comments here. John is more frail and falls now a couple times a week. Fortunately, nothing serious to date. His vocabulary has decreased to the point that more often than not it is a search on my part to understand what he is trying to converse about. Most times, I can be reassuring and we move on to other things. The repeating of the same question probably is the hardest and more boring part of dealing with stage of Alzheimer. I realize finding a place for John to sit near me and watch me is the best solution, particularly while in the kitchen or garden. I feel my presence is his cord to the world and life.
There is no one in my position that doesn't wonder how long can this go on. I did learn that Alzheimer is present in the brain for years before the symptoms become routine. From that point to the end of life is commonly thought to be seven or eight years. The difference of all this is the care that given to the individual. We moved to Olympia in '03 and John was having blank moments at that time. Next year, it will be ten years. I have learned a lot about patience and depth of loving another person, this must have been my life assignment.
As for today's plan. It is going to be sunny so I will go to the garden and clean my herb bed, it is Saturday so I will take my radio and listen to my garden guru from 10 to 12. Two feet from me on a chair will be John asking if he can help. I will tell him, "No, just keep me company." John will repeat the question though out the morning and I will continue to give the same answer.
I came home to find out that John was very agitated, restless and some times combative. He did not recognize his home, he was angry at his grandchildren and he lost his sense of comfort and calmness -- me.
John knew me instantly, was happy to see me. The following week the meds has been cut to a fourth of what was needed while I was gone. He is quiet and calm. The results show how attached John's sense of space and security is connected to me. It places, also, a bigger responsibility and restriction on my life. I have from the beginning of this adventure had the frame of mind, that I take one day at a time and that continues.
For those that read this for insight of changing abilities of John and people with Alzheimer in general, a few comments here. John is more frail and falls now a couple times a week. Fortunately, nothing serious to date. His vocabulary has decreased to the point that more often than not it is a search on my part to understand what he is trying to converse about. Most times, I can be reassuring and we move on to other things. The repeating of the same question probably is the hardest and more boring part of dealing with stage of Alzheimer. I realize finding a place for John to sit near me and watch me is the best solution, particularly while in the kitchen or garden. I feel my presence is his cord to the world and life.
There is no one in my position that doesn't wonder how long can this go on. I did learn that Alzheimer is present in the brain for years before the symptoms become routine. From that point to the end of life is commonly thought to be seven or eight years. The difference of all this is the care that given to the individual. We moved to Olympia in '03 and John was having blank moments at that time. Next year, it will be ten years. I have learned a lot about patience and depth of loving another person, this must have been my life assignment.
As for today's plan. It is going to be sunny so I will go to the garden and clean my herb bed, it is Saturday so I will take my radio and listen to my garden guru from 10 to 12. Two feet from me on a chair will be John asking if he can help. I will tell him, "No, just keep me company." John will repeat the question though out the morning and I will continue to give the same answer.
The helmet
You may not be a sufferer of Alzhemier (it is in the brain for years before your family notices) but on the other hand you may have it. It is like biking, you probably will not fall and injury yourself--wear the helmet anyway. Reading the following
http://www.ergo-log.com/ashwagandhaalzheimers.html
http://www.ergo-log.com/ashwagandhaalzheimers.html
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