I created this BLOG in hopes that my journey with my mother and her Alzheimer’s can help others. I wanted to explain a little about my mother Alzheimer’s. She has helped me all my life with my journey of cerebral palsy. She is 88 years old and has had Alzheimer’s for at least 13 years now. I first noticed her memory problems back in the fall of 1997. She was able to keep driving and handling her check book until the winter of 2003/2004. She could still go on 2 mile hikes with me into 2005 and ½ mile walks thru 2008, now she mostly can only walk a few yards before her hip starts to hurt her. I moved back into her home in 2005 to help her stay in her house although I have kept my own place thru 2010. One of the things I feel that has helped her go 13 years and still going is I’ve had people (mostly me) around her quit a bit. This helped her stay engaged with people. In 2003 she averaged people with her @90hrs/wk out of 168 hrs in a week, in 2004/2005/2006 @110hrs/wk, 2007 @125hrs/wk, 2008 @135hrs/wk. Then starting in January 2009 she has had someone with her 24/7. I started using care givers in 2005 to help and to give mom other women to talk to and get use to. Right now she can still dress and undress herself but is starting to struggle with it and needs to be told what to do most of the time. About a year ago in December 2009 she started to refuse to wash herself now one of the care givers I use sponge bathes her 3 times a week. Right now mentally she is like a 6 year old girl with just a few seconds of memory. She has started to get confused with the getting undressed and dressed part but can still do it herself. She has also sometimes thought the person she sees in the bathroom mirror is someone else this has started just a few months ago. She can still walk on her own with no help. Here is a list of the drugs and supplements she takes for her Alzheimer’s • Razadyne started in 2000 • Namenda started March 2005 • Folic Acid started in 2001 • Turmeric started in 2001
Friday December 31st 2010 New Years Eve
I was so tired last night that mom was dressed and eating breakfast talking to Andrea by the time I got up. Andrea said she got all of mom washed as well. So I ate breakfast with mom before leaving to hang out in the woods a little the last day of the year. I left the woods just before it started to storm. By the time I got back around 1:30 mom had just finished eating lunch and laid down for a nap. Andrea said mom was up all morning until just after lunch. So since I knew we would be up late tonight since it’s New Years Eve I let mom get in a good nap. Andrea said mom was more with it today and she was the same tonight. Mom got up at 4 and we took a drive around 5 before supper. After supper I found an orchestra special playing the “Nut Cracker” on PBS which mom enjoyed. Then PBS had a Cirque DU Seleil special so we watched that as well it was very good. Then we just watched some New Years Eve specials to bring in the New Year together. Mom didn’t give me any fuss tonight on brushing her teeth. Mom did fuss a bit on changing into her nightgown but then it was close to 1am when she went to bed. I didn’t try and make her take off the pants since tomorrow is not a wash day. Today was a good day for mom she was in good spirits all day. Well now it’s time for me to get some sleep.
Thursday December 30th 2010
Mom had just gotten up as I was leaving to do some more packing and moving. Mom was asleep when I got back home this afternoon at 3:30 and got up around 4:30 and we watched some TV before taking a drive to look at Xmas lights not sure how much longer people will have their Xmas lights on. We ate supper when we got back from our drive then sat down to talk and watch TV. Other than earlier last night mom did not have any bowel accidents overnight or today. The last drink I gave mom was at 7:30 and she went to bed around 11pm so hopefully she got everything out of her system tonight. She did fuss a lot more tonight on taking off her pants. She was refusing to do it, so I kept on telling her she needed to until she finally did. She was a lot more talkative during our drive and supper than she normally is. She was in a good mood the whole time I was with her until I made her change into her nightgown. Well time for bed myself.
Wednesday December 29th 2010
Andrea told me that mom was not in a good mood with her yesterday mom was giving her problems with everything like getting dressed. Today she was much better and Andrea did get her completely washed except for the face. Mom didn’t have any accidents in her underpants last night either. Although tonight before bed she had a number 2 accident, the first time for that. It looks like she just didn’t get her self totally clean when she stood up and some dripped onto her underpants. Mom was eating lunch when I got back this afternoon so I joined her for lunch. She then took a nap after lunch. She got up in time to watch some TV then the news before taking a drive to look at the Xmas lights. After dinner we watched TV, talked and got her laughing by acting silly like I do almost every night. I was able to find a 2 hour orchestra special on PBS which she enjoyed and when I asked her she still remembered how to spell orchestra. Mom went to bed around 10:30 with the last time having something to drink was 7pm. So it gave her 3 hours to get everything out of her system. She did put up a bit of fuss when I had her brush her teeth, although she didn’t put up a fuss on getting into her nightgown. Tonight I didn’t make her take off her pants just the shirt. I also didn’t have to tell her how to put on the nightgown. Well off to bed for me now I’m getting up early tomorrow morning.
Tuesday December 28th 2010
Looks like mom didn’t have any accidents in her underpants last night. I stayed today until after mom got up to help Andrea try and cut moms toe nails. We tried for several minutes but mom wasn’t having anything to do with it. She just got more and more upset the more we tried. So we decided to try on another day. I’m not sure why she gets so upset by it she will not tell me. I left shortly after that to do some more packing over at my place. I got back around 3:30pm and mom woke up when she heard me talking to Schatcie another care giver I use. Mom slept a lot of the day the 2 hours Schatcie was here. I decided since mom and I haven’t been out to eat in several weeks I took her out to one of my favorite restaurants. We got there a little after 4 because I like missing the crowds. Mom likes it when it is quieter. She did pretty well at the restaurant I was able to keep her in a pretty good mood. She got a bit upset after we first got there but I was able to get a smile on her face by acting a little silly. It was dark enough on our way back from dinner to see several Xmas lights. Mom does enjoy the lights. We watched TV together when we got back until about 10 when mom went I had mom go to bed. Her last thing to drink was about 6:30 so hopefully all her fluids are out of her. She fussed a little on getting into her nightgown and her pants off but it really was pretty easy tonight. Other than this morning when we tried to cut moms toe nails she has been in a pretty good mood at least with me. She was very happy to see me when I got back home this afternoon. Stay tuned for more daily updates.
Monday December 27th 2010
Mom was up today before I left finishing her breakfast and pills. Andrea was able to get all of mom washed today except for the face. Mom did go back to bed shortly after finishing her pills. It looks like mom did not have any accidents in her underpants last night. I think mom did sleep a lot of the day today. I spent the day do more moving and throwing away things with some help from my friend Patti. Mom and I took a drive early tonight to look at the Xmas lights before supper. When I first got back this afternoon mom was a little bit distant not real happy when I hugged her then she was like that again just before supper. She became happier while we watched TV tonight and I got her laughing. She didn’t have anything to drink tonight after about 6:30 and went to bed at 10pm. So hopefully she got all fluids out of her before bed. Just after the news started she got up to go to the bathroom then I had her brush her teeth before bed. Tonight she didn’t fuss at all about brushing her teeth. Of course I gave her a big hug and got her laughing first. She still remembers how to brush her teeth I just have to put the toothbrush in her hand or she will not do it. After brushing her teeth I had her get into the nightgown. I told her what to do and she did it without fussing. After she got the nightgown on she asked me if she should take off her pants instead of me telling her to. This evening mom seemed a little less confused about things, which was nice. She ended up the day in a good mood and pleasant.
Sunday December 26th 2010
I got mom up at 11am today after I watched some church services on TV. Mom did have an accident earlier this morning in the bathroom not getting up and to the bathroom in time. I had to explain to mom what she needed to do to get dressed but she didn’t fuss about it. She also took her pills with no problems. Then we watched the first quarter or so of the Rams game before going for a short drive. I wanted to give her plenty of time after breakfast to go to the bathroom a couple times. We ate lunch shortly after we got back as we finished watching the St Louis Rams football game. She went in to take a nap. I watched some more football and played on the computer. After her nap we went for another drive to look at Xmas lights. We ate supper after our drive while listening to Xmas music. We then watched TV shows I didn’t find any Xmas specials tonight. Mom went to bed around midnight. I had to explain to her what to do again on getting into her nightgown. She did fuss about it some saying things like I don’t think I will. So I just wait a few seconds then repeat myself. She also fussed on taking off her pants. I tell her I need to wash them so she needs to take them off. She did change fairly easy with just mild fussing. As for the whole day mom has been in pretty good spirits. Now I do give her several hugs and tell her I love her many times throughout the day. When ever she starts to get upset or seems like she is frustrated I give her hugs and/or tell her I love her. Sometimes I tell her this when she is happy as well. I feel the more she feels that she is around people who love her she is much happier and stays in better spirits.
Saturday Xmas day December 25th 2010
It was nice to wake up this morning to a white Xmas. I woke mom up around 10:30. She was a little out of it when she first got up she was in a sound sleep when I woke her up for breakfast. She fused a little but not much when I had her put on her cloths and get out of her nightgown. I checked this morning and it looks like she didn’t have any problems with getting to the bathroom in time. She was in pretty good spirits at breakfast as we listened to Xmas music. She took awhile taking her pills but really didn’t give me any fuss just took her time. After breakfast we talked to her other sons over SKYPE. She enjoyed talking with her sons and did recognize them. Since there was snow out on the ground and sure if there was any black ice we just took a couple short drives this afternoon. Then after, we both took a nap we took a short drive to look at some Xmas lights before supper. Mom was up late this evening watching some Xmas specials and movies. Mom has been in a good mood most of the day and evening. I didn’t give her anything to drink after about 7pm and she went to bed around 12:30am. I said she was up late tonight. She did fuss a little when I made her brush her teeth mostly just huffing and giving me a mad look but she brushed them. She also fussed some but not much on getting into her nightgown. Tonight I didn’t make her take off the pants since tomorrow is not a bath day. Well I hope everybody had a merry Xmas mine was pretty good and had a good day with mom.
Friday Xmas Eve December 24th 2010
Andrea said she did finally get all of mom washed. Mom was the fussiest of all the washes this week. She was kicking a little to try and get Andrea to leave as well as getting mad. After several trips Andrea did get all of her washed though. Mom was asleep when I left this morning. I spent a few hours running errands and walking around in the woods in the snow. Andrea told me mom wasn’t as talkative or as friendly today. I got back early to eat lunch and open up presents with mom and Andrea. Mom and I opened up all of our presents today as well as the presents between Andrea and us. Moms not all that interested in opening presents anymore. I think it’s confusing to her with such a short memory. Mom went in shortly after opening presents to take a nap. Since it was snowing this afternoon and expecting 3 or 4 inches I did not take mom for a drive. We watched TV a little after she got up from her nap before dinner. Today I said lets get dinner after she got out of the bathroom so she wasn’t sitting down. It was much easier or at least tonight it was. We spent the evening watching Xmas specials. She really likes the ones that are all music and/or dancing. There is no story line to follow and she enjoys the sounds of the music. Tonight she was even singing along on the more popular Xmas songs. It was good seeing her enjoy the music. Tonight she was in a good mood she does like this time of year with the Xmas music and decorations. She was so into the music she went along time without going to the bathroom plus I’ve started giving her less drinks over the past 2 evenings. Since she is having problems getting to the bathroom in time over the past couple of weeks at least at night when she is sleeping. She has not had problems every night just a few nights over the past couple weeks. She hasn’t gotten the sheets wet yet just her underpants. She was so enjoying the music she went from 7:30 until 11:30 before going to the bathroom. I like to wait until she goes to the bathroom then when she comes out I catch her before she gets to the TV room. This method I have found works the best it is very hard to get her out of her chair to go to bed without getting her upset. I always give her a hug and get her laughing when she gets close to her bedroom door. Then I get her to brush her teeth or change into her nightgown. Tonight it was easy getting her to brush her teeth she didn’t fuss at all. She still knows how to brush her teeth without me telling her how. Now when it came to getting her to put on her nightgown she got a little mad but did it without me telling her how to do it. She fussed a little also on taking off her pants. At first I was going to let it go but as I was walking away she said she still had on her pants. So I took the opportunity and told her to take them off hopefully trying to keep in her head she needs to take them off at night.
Thursday December 23rd 2010
Mom was still in bed when I left this morning but Andrea told me she was up shortly after I left and stayed up most of the morning and early afternoon. Mom made an accident last night by not getting to the bathroom before hand. I could tell this because her pants were off and underpants were hanging both where wet. She tries and wash them after an accident in the bathroom sink. I have noticed it happening a few more times over the past couple of weeks but only after sleeping. So it seems she can still control it when she is awake. Mom was even a little more talkative today with Andrea and being sweet. When I got home at 1:30 mom was eating lunch but went in to take a nap after lunch. Since she hadn’t slept that much with Andrea I let her sleep for awhile. While I was gone this morning I ran some errands and went to the grocery store to pick up a few things since we might be snowed in over Xmas. It looks like we will be getting a white Xmas this year. Thanks to the same storm that really hit California hard and the west it gets here tomorrow. Mom and I took a short drive after she got up from her nap. We then watched the news before eating supper. Tonight I had a little bit of a problem getting her to get out of her chair and come out to the kitchen while I warmed up her supper. She really didn’t feel like eating supper or maybe it was she didn’t want to get up I’m not sure. She ate down her supper with no problem. I’ve had some problems in the past as well getting her to get up for supper a few times at least although tonight was the worst of them all. After dinner we took a drive to look at the Xmas lights and she was engaging in conversations about the lights. I tried to find a Xmas special tonight that she might enjoy but couldn’t find any. So we just watched regular TV shows. She has been in pretty good spirits today at least until I had her change into her nightgown. She did her normal saying she wasn’t going to change then I just wait a few seconds and re-approach the issue in a little different way. Again I have to explain what to do. Tonight getting the top off and getting her to put on the nightgown wasn’t too bad. Then came the getting her to take off her pants that was an argument and she got very upset with me even saying leave forever. Now of course she didn’t really mean it but she did take off her pants and threw them at me. Mom just really doesn’t understand and gets confused about the whole changing cloths thing. It must really be hard having Alzheimer’s trying to understand things but everything is confusing to you and not remembering what you are trying to say or what you just did a few seconds ago. I pray god gives us the wisdom to cure it so none of us have to go through it. I gain even more respect and love for my mother watching her go through this. She has been a trooper and I feel deals with this a lot better than I would.
Wednesday December 22nd 2010
Andrea told me she cleaned some of mom yesterday to try and get mom to get out of bed. Andrea has had some problems getting mom to get out of bed a few times over the past week. I have not had the trouble myself. So Andrea washed mom’s front side today since she washed the backside yesterday. Mom was asleep today when I left to run some errands and spend a little time to myself. I spent a little time going through stuff at my apartment and getting rid of some. Mom was up eating lunch today when I got back home at 1:30pm. She went back to take a short nap after lunch then got up. We watched a little TV before taking a ride to look at Xmas lights before supper. I have noticed it is harder to get her to come out for supper. I have to mention it a few times before she gets she needs to get up and come to the kitchen and dinning room. Mom over the past few months has not always recognized her house when we pull up to the house. I have noticed this happening more at night when it’s dark. But that could also be because of her eyesight at night. Although mom, has been getting more confused on things over the past few months. She has been in pretty good spirits with me just getting more confused. It is hard to watch someone you love go through this but I just focus on what I can do with her now and not think about what she can no longer do this does help. Of course I would walk through hell by her side to protect her if I had to. Today mom was in good spirits even singing to some of the Xmas music. I did find the radio city music hall Xmas special on PBS tonight so we watched it as she hummed to some of the sounds. She was enjoying it which was nice watching her enjoy it. She did give me some static on brushing her teeth tonight before bed. She didn’t give me any trouble getting into her nightgown tonight but then I didn’t make her take off her pants.
Tuesday December 21st 2010
Andrea told me that mom was more talkative yesterday and with it. Mom was asleep when I left today to go over to my apartment to do more packing and getting rid of more stuff. Since today is Tuesday I have another person watch mom in the afternoon so I get a little more time to myself. Mom was asleep when I got home and she did sleep most of the day just getting up for breakfast and lunch. She did get up around 4pm shortly after I got home. We watched TV a little before dinner. She was pretty cheerful. After dinner we took a drive to look at the Xmas lights and again today she was more engaging in conversation at least for her. I found a couple Xmas shows and movies we watch tonight. She went to bed around 10pm. It was a little bit of a fight to get her in the nightgown and out of the pants so Andrea can bath her tomorrow. She argued but I would just wait a few seconds sometimes giving her a hug in between but after a few tries she got undressed and gave me her pants. I’m glad she can still get undressed on her own I just need to tell her what to do and hang close by to make sure she does it. If she waits a few seconds to get undressed after I explain what to do she will forget what she is to do. So I re-explain it to her. Other than the getting undress part mom was in a cheerful mood today and fairly attentive for her.
Monday December 20th 2010
Mom was in bed when I left today. Andrea did say she got mom completely cleaned today including her face. So mom got a good sponge bath today on all parts of her. She was fairly complacent for Andrea. Mom never put back on underpants from Saturday night even though I gave her some Sunday morning because Andrea told me she wasn’t wearing any this morning which made it easier to wash that area. I think mom slept a lot of the day but will check with Andrea tomorrow. On Mondays I have another person come in the afternoon to clean house and cloths. So Andrea wasn’t here when I got home. I spent my day with my friend Patti packing up my apartment getting rid of some things and bringing some over to the house. Mom got up shortly after I got back and watched TV with me until supper. We took a drive after supper to look at the Xmas lights. She does like the Xmas lights and right now after 6pm there are several houses with lights. We then watched TV talked and joked around. She was a little more with it tonight or at least in a joking around mood. She was in pretty good spirits today with me. She went to bed around 11pm. When I had her brush her teeth she did get a little mad at me but did it. She would say I don’t want to but I wait a few seconds then just kept at it. Then I had her get into her nightgown. At first she said she wasn’t going to change so I wait a few seconds then re-approached it. After a couple times she got into her nightgown and even got out of her pants without me telling her to. Then she hung the cloths in the closet without being asked to.
Sunday December 19th 2010
I got up this morning to watch church services on TV until 11. Mom slept in but we had a late breakfast. Mom I think didn’t get to the bathroom before making an accident. So she had taking off her pants by morning. So I had her get into both her pants and top and out of her nightgown. I didn’t really have a problem getting her into the cloths I just had to explain to her what to do a few times. Then we ate and she took her pills without any problems as we listened to Xmas music. I have found out that giving mom lots of hugs and getting her to laugh as well as telling her I love her puts her in a better mood. I feel this does help me get her to do things. We went for our normal Sunday afternoon 2 hour drive. Today she even sung to some of the Xmas songs. She even wished the women at the visitor center a merry Christmas after I gave her a big hug. When we got back we ate a late lunch then mom took a nap. I watched football and played around on the computer. After she woke up we took a short drive before dinner to see the Xmas lights. After dinner we danced a few minutes to some Xmas songs. I was able to find a couple Xmas music specials tonight so we watched those after supper then just some regular shows. Mom went to bed at 10 tonight without too much trouble getting out of her nightgown. I did have to explain what to do and she did get mad when I made her take off her pants but she did it. She was in pretty good spirits today as well.
Saturday December 18th 2010
Mom and I both got up around 10 today of course I was up late last night. I had no problem getting her to take off her nightgown and put on her top or with her pills. After breakfast we went for our normal Saturday drive on the river road. This was the first time she has been out of the house in a week because of all the cold and ice. Today though everything had melted and was warm enough that nothing was frozen on the roads or where we stopped. We left around noon because I wanted to wait for it to get warmer. She was in good spirits today as we drove listening to Xmas music. Although today she didn’t do any singing like she sometimes does. She took a short nap after our drive and lunch. We took a second drive before supper to look at the Xmas lights. There were more lights up tonight and she was enjoying seeing them. When I came back the other night around 7pm I had notice the more people had their lights up. So I hope to get in more drives after dark with mom so she can enjoy them as we listen to Xmas music. She went to bed tonight around 9:30pm I think she was a little tired with all the driving and engaging in more talk today. She was pretty much a breeze tonight getting her into the nightgown but I didn’t push getting the pants off. So she went to bed with them on. Overall today was a good day and mom was in good spirits all day. I thank god for all the good days like today.
Friday December 17th 2010
Andrea did get mom completely clean but had to do a quick job so she didn’t get really good clean but Andrea did get all moms parts at least lightly. Mom really wasn’t having anything to do with the cleaning was very mad at Andrea. She was still asleep when I left for a little while. I spent my short time away today just running errands and making a few phone calls. When I got back mom was just finishing lunch. She slept a little this afternoon then watched some TV with me until supper. We didn’t go for a drive today but I hope to be able to go for drives this weekend. We are suppose to have warmer temps this weekend so all the ice will have melted. Mom and I watched TV did a little dancing to Xmas music after supper. I didn’t have much problem getting mom to brush her teeth and get into her nightgown. I didn’t make her take off the pants tonight since tomorrow is not a bathe day. So that always makes it easier to get into her nightgown. I still have to tell her what to do to get into her nightgown. I tell her to take off her top then put on her nightgown that I’ve laid out for her.
Thursday December 16th 2010
I was gone today most of the day and early evening. I had a early lunch with a friend and a business dinner so I actually 3 different women to watch mom. So I’m not sure how much mom was up today yet I’ll talk to Andrea tomorrow. She was up most of the evening and was up when I got home after my dinner. Mom seemed in a good mood with me tonight we watched TV until a little after 10. I was happy surprise that my got into her nightgown and took off her pants without much trouble. So not much to report for today.
Wednesday December 15th 2010
Andrea was able to get all of mom bathe today without a lot of trouble but mom wasn’t happy about it. Andrea’s last trip mom had asked what are you doing she said cleaning you but as soon as she gets done she will leave. In which mom said you bet you will. Andrea had problems though today getting mom to take her pills. She refused to take them at breakfast. I got back just after mom finished her lunch and then mom took her pills when I moved them in front of her. Mom went back to bed for a little while after lunch then she and I watched TV and hung out together until supper. She downed her supper tonight at her normal speed unlike last night. We watched TV after supper and stayed in all day since it was really to cold to take her out. She was in pretty good spirits this afternoon and tonight. She went to bed tonight at 10:30. Before bed I had her brush her teeth which she did but with discuss. I always give her hugs and get her laughing before I have her do something and it seems to help. I also give her lots of hugs and tell her I love her several times a day without getting her to do something afterwards. And I do love her very much and even after all these years of dealing personally with her Alzheimer’s I can still remember the mom of before.
Tuesday December 14th 2010
I did cancel the doctor appointment today it was just too cold and icy to take mom out. So she spent another day inside all day. She got up shortly after I did this morning so we ate breakfast together. She gave Andrea a little trouble taking her pills this morning after I left the table but she did end up taking them all. I spent the day running around doing errands and grocery shopping. She slept a lot this afternoon until shortly after I got back. We then watched the news together before eating dinner. Mom still eats what I give her but tonight she seemed to take a little longer eating. After dinner we watched TV and talked she was up tonight until almost midnight. I use a practice where I give her something to drink so she goes to the bathroom then when she comes out I give her a hug get her laughing right by her bedroom door. Then I get her to get into her nightgown which I have laid out for her. If I try and get her to go to bed while we are sitting watching TV it is almost impossible to get her to change into her nightgown. That is why I get her to go to the bathroom first this is the way I’ve found that works best. I had my normal struggle to get her into her nightgown and out of her pants since tomorrow is a bathe day.
Monday December 13th 2010
Andrea couldn’t get her car door open this morning so since she didn’t make it over mom didn’t get bathe today. I had another one of the women I use come over for a couple hours in the morning to give me a break. Then another one I use that comes every Monday afternoon to clean house and wash I had come a little early. So I got a few hours to unwind and relax. I feed mom this morning and she gave no problems with taking her pills. It was still to cold and icy outside to take mom for a drive today. So mom spent a lot of the day sleeping. The rest of the afternoon mom and I spent dancing and laughing while listening to Xmas music. After dinner we watched a music special on PBS that was playing her type of music from the 30’s and 40’s. So she was enjoying it and it is good seeing her enjoying things. Mom was in pretty good spirits today. Tonight she fussed a little on brushing her teeth but not too much. I’m glad she can still brush her own teeth. She got into her nightgown without to much fuss but I didn’t even try and get her to take off her pants since tomorrow is not a wash day. I have found that I can get mom to laugh by acting silly, goofy and giving her lots of hugs. Mom has a regular check up with the doctor tomorrow that I will need to reschedule. The temp will be around 10% F with possible ice on the parking lot not the type of conditions to take an 88 year old, women out in.
Sunday December 12th 2010
Mom did a lot more sleeping today than normally on Sunday since it was snowing and cold so we didn’t do any drives. I also did more sleeping today as well. Mom ate breakfast around 11am and I had no problems with pills she just took them. She normally takes her pills but I must sit there and make sure. I put the pills on a napkin and then move them close to her when she finishes her cereal. I spent the afternoon watching football as mom slept. After dinner we watched TV. It took some explaining and re-explaining to get mom changed into her nightgown and pants off since tomorrow is a bath day. She didn’t argue doing it that much tonight she was just having a hard time understanding what she needed to do. Mom was in pretty good spirits today.
Saturday December 11th 2010
Since it was just rainy pretty much all day mom and I both slept in. She did stay in her nightgown after taking off her pants last night. Mom did fuss a little on getting dressed but not much. I tell her she needs to get dress so we can take a drive. I no problems and usually do not have any problems getting her to take her pills. Although a lot of the time she takes a long time taking her pills. I will sometimes speed it up some by say the sooner she takes her pills the faster we can go for a drive. After breakfast we took a couple of shorter drives since it was rainy. We took a short drive before supper to look at Xmas lights. Mom didn’t get into the drives today as much as she normally does because of the rain. We watched the classic movie tonight called It’s a wonderful life. Mom went to bed around 11pm. I got her into her nightgown but let her keep her pants on. I decided not to fight that argument tonight since tomorrow is not a bath day. Mom just doesn’t get the whole idea of the need to change into or out of her nightgown. She did get into her nightgown though without to much fuss. Like I’ve said before it must be hard on her not being able to understand or remember things anymore. I know it would be hard on me.
Friday December 10th 2010
Mom was still in bed when I left but Andrea told me she did get mom completely washed today. Mom did argue with Andrea and got mad at her but after several trips into her room Andrea did get her washed but did say she had to do a so-so job on moms back. Mom argued with Andrea on getting dressed but did finally get dressed. She ended up sleeping most of the morning. I think it was partly because she was arguing so much it wore her out. She didn’t eat until about noon just about 1.5 hours before I got back. I spent the day doing a little hiking and good old grocery shopping. After I got back mom was asleep for just a short time then we took a couple of short drives then I took her out to dinner since today it got up to almost 60%. We had pizza the first time we had pizza in a long time it was good. Then we took another short drive to look at Xmas lights before settling in to watch TV and just talk. After this morning mom was in good spirits and pretty responsive when I talked to her. Sometimes she is not to responsive when talking to her it’s like she is in her own head or focusing on something trying to remember it. I had her brush her teeth tonight like I do almost every night before bed. Tonight she did it without to much trouble. I had a little static at first about getting into her nightgown. She at first would say she wasn’t going to so I just would wait a few seconds then repeat telling her to get into the nightgown and after 3 times of telling her tonight she did. I have to tell her what to do but did it in a relaxed tone. I also give her a hung and get her laughing before telling her to get into the nightgown. I then told her to take off the pants and she did with no argument and even hung the pants up. Now we will see if she stays in her nightgown and doesn’t get dressed before morning.
Thursday December 9th 2010
Mom got up late today. I went to my apartment to start moving some of my stuff to the house. Boy I hate moving after so many years in one place ok I just hate moving period. I had my friend Patti help me with moving stuff today and then we had a relaxing lunch before I headed back to take over watching mom. It was nice talking to a, women and being able to have a long conversation. Mom was napping when I got back home. After she got up we went for a drive to look at Xmas lights before watching the news and dinner. We spent the night watching TV and talking but no Xmas specials tonight. Mom went to bed around 10:30pm tonight which is good since I’ve gotten up before 7am the past 3 days. I’m a little tied tonight. Tonight I really didn’t have much problems getting her into her nightgown and out of her pants. She fused a little but not that much. It was nice not to have to fight tonight especially since I’m so tired.
Wednesday December 8th 2010
I was up and out of the house this morning before 7am for a networking meeting. So mom was still asleep but Andrea said she was bathed and done with her breakfast by 8am. Mom was easy today on letting Andrea bathe all of her and gave Andrea no problems with the pills. But then Andrea spent a lot of time trying and finally getting mom dressed. She was mad about taking her pretty nightgown off and putting on her shirt top. She doesn’t get anymore that you don’t go around all day in your nightgown. I took mom for a couple of short drives when I got back around 1pm. Mom was more talkative and with it on the drives today unlike yesterday. She was in good spirits with me this afternoon and tonight. We watch some more Xmas music specials on PBS tonight and she was even singing along on some of the songs. She did get mad at me a little but did get into her nightgown without much arguing. I didn’t push the taking her pants off since tomorrow is not a wash day. She just doesn’t get the whole changing cloths that much anymore. It is hard for her not understanding things but I love her and will stand by her side as she goes through this hell. I pray someone comes up with a fix for Alzheimer’s before us baby boomers get to that age.
Tuesday December 7th 2010
Mom was up when I left today eating breakfast. I spent a little time this morning talking to Andrea before I left and went over to my apartment to do yet more getting things packed up either some to keep or get rid of some. Mom was up when I got back and after getting emails we went for another drive to look at Xmas lights. Today while driving around mom seemed to be in her own world not answering me when I talked to her a lot. She was fine just seeming like was in her head and not paying attention to much to the lights or me. Now tonight after dinner and during dinner she was more with it. We listened to Xmas music during dinner and she seems to be in good spirits tonight as we watched TV. I had mom get ready for bed at 9:30 tonight since I need to get up early in the morning tomorrow for a networking free breakfast. Mom did get out of her cloths and into her nightgown pretty fast tonight but was very mad at me for making her take off the pants. I tell her that I need to wash them as the reason for taking them off sometimes it helps but a lot of the time she doesn’t understand. It must be hard for her not to understand or remember things.
Monday December 6th 2010
Mom was asleep when I left today but when I left Andrea had only gotten moms front washed not her backside. I spent my time away doing mostly Xmas shopping for mom and me. I treated myself to lunch at Applebee’s then went to my apartment to pack some more before heading back to moms. Mom was up when I got back home and after checking my email we took a short drive to look at Xmas lights before dinner. I think mom was up a lot today and seems to be in good spirits both today and tonight when watching TV. We watched the sing off on NBC she does like listening to music. After that the PBS station had a big band era special so we watched that. This was the music mom grew up with so she really liked it me I could take it or leave it but she loved it so we watched it. Mom was sort of dancing in her chair as she listened to the music totally getting into the music. We talked to Larry on Skype a little tonight. I put mom to bed around 10pm. I had to tell her again what to do when putting her nightgown on. I first just get her to take off her top then put her nightgown on. She took off her pants on her own tonight now we will see if they stay off. On the night before her bath day I throw her top and pants down the shoot so she can’t change back into them but tomorrow is not a bath day. She sometimes gets confused during the night and will change back into some or all of her cloths if they are in the bedroom.
Sunday December 5th 2010
I got mom up today after watching church services on TV. I have been watching this for about 2 ½ years now. It has helped me getting the positive messages. Mom had her pants still on so I just had to get her to change her nightgown then put her top on. I had to set the top out and explain what and how to do it several times but mom didn’t get real upset she was just confused. She took her pills today without any problems. Then we went for our Sunday drive along the river road. We always stop at the visitors center in Grafton, IL for a bathroom break. I take this drive all the time because mom is more familiar with that bathroom. Also I enjoy the drive it’s like I’m driving between my 2 loves that being sailing and climbing. Since on the one side you have the river the other side you have the cliffs. Mom did take a short nap after the drive and lunch. We also took another drive before dinner to look at the Xmas lights. Then after supper we watch a little TV but I didn’t find any Xmas programs tonight oh well. I got her to get into her nightgown tonight without a real big struggle. What I did was focus first on her taking off her top then put the nightgown on. Then with persistence I got her to take off her pants. She fought getting the pants off more but was mostly just confused not always understanding what pants are so I had to show her. Tonight I used a loving but firm tone not sounding upset when getting her into her nightgown. In her condition now you just have to explain and show her what she needs to do and do it in small steps. You have to try and be patient because she needs it explained and showed several times. She went to bed around 11:00pm. Mom was in a pretty good and happy mood today even though it was cloudy all day.
Saturday December 4th 2010
Mom and I got up a little late today. She was a little out of it for the first hour or so after she got up. Although she didn’t argue with me on putting on her cloths it just took telling her how and what to do several times. While we ate breakfast she started to get alert well alert for her. After we ate I took her and our normal Saturday drive where we listened to Xmas songs and sang along a little. Tonight for awhile we listened to a Xmas concert on PBS. Tonight I just made mom get into her nightgown for bed but didn’t argue with her on taking off her pants since tomorrow is not a bathe day. I sometimes spend a few hours after mom goes to bed just relaxing and unwinding from the day. A little me time before going to bed.
Friday December 3rd 2010
Andrea was able to get all of mom washed today. Mom actually was up when Andrea got here and was out eating breakfast when I came out to eat. Today mom got dressed she put her top on over her nightgown and Andrea wasn’t able to get her nightgown off today. Mom did mess her pants up a little so Andrea gave her some new pants. Every, once in awhile mom has a little problem getting to the bathroom before having an accident. I got mom to take her nightgown off by first working on just getting off her top then have her take off the nightgown after that put her shirt back on. I had to keep reminding her she gets so confused with the whole dressing thing. By breaking it into 3 parts it was easier. Instead of trying to say do all 3 at once which just got her so confused. Even doing it this way was confusing to her but made it do able with persistence. We took a drive this afternoon before dinner then watched TV. Now go figure tonight mom got into her nightgown without to much trouble and even took her pants off without me telling her to. That’s one thing with Alzheimer’s it’s always different. As for me I went over to my apartment and shredded some old papers and worked on my website a little tonight.
Thursday December 2nd 2010
Mom was still asleep when I left this morning so not sure what time she got up but was told she slept a lot. I spent the day packing up things at my apartment with a friend Patti we got a lot packed up but still so much more to go. It’s amazing how much stuff you accumulate over 20+ years in one place. I will move some stuff into the house but most will go to goodwill or some charity. After I got back home mom got up around 4pm and we ended up taking a short drive looking at the Xmas lights and listening to Xmas music. I have noticed over the past 6 or 7 years there are not as many Xmas lights going up anymore. After dinner we watched TV and talked a little until about 10pm. Tonight I had to have her get her into her nightgown and take off her pants. It took some doing getting her to do both. She will say I don’t want to or just say no. So I have to say I need your pants so I can wash them and she will say why or sometimes tonight she would say no or just get sidetrack looking at something. So I would wait a few seconds and repeat myself again sometimes changing my tone. Tonight this went on for several minutes before she finally took the pants off. Since tomorrow is a bathe day I needed to get her pants off or Andrea would not be able to clean moms lower body.
Wednesday December 1st 2010
Andrea was able to wash all but moms front girly parts and stomach. Mom did not like getting bathe today and fought it a lot more. She would sometimes say why are you doing this to me and she hates you and you are stupid. Sometimes they will mean verbally as their why of fighting back against something they don’t like. I know back when I had to make mom take a shower she would tell me she hates me and I’m mean then storm into the bathroom and slam the door like a little girl throwing a temper tantrum. Of course with her memory she would forget what she went in there for and we would have to go through this 4 or 5 times before she would take a shower. With mom this went on for almost a year then I was watching Joel Osteen on TV one day and he said when having problems ask god for help. So I prayed to god basically challenging him to help and it worked for a little over a year before mom just flat refused to take a shower. She had gotten to the point that Alzheimer’s people get when they are afraid of the water. Now over that year + she would sometimes fight taking a shower some but nothing like before of course once it worked I prayed to god each night before moms shower day. Mom slept a lot today but she and I did take a drive early this evening and looked at some of the Xmas lights before dinner. This evening we talked and watched TV until about 10:30pm when mom went to bed. I did get her to get into her nightgown but she didn’t take off the pants and since tomorrow is not a wash day I choose not to fight that fight. Even though it was colder today I did get in a little hiking while Andrea was here.
My journey with my mother through her Alzheimer's
