Another Day in the Life
Why aren't there mandatory classes for aging, how to deal with fill in the blank as our parent age, we age. I will let Voyageur tell you of her week full of Mom's defiance and embarrassment. More than anything dementia strips away a person's dignity and sometimes as caregivers we are part of the loss of dignity. Ok, I will mention one thing - Voyageur had to tell Mom No, she could not walk to the drug store by herself. She got confused last time and neighbors ended up calling Voyageur. Find how to deal with that situation in a freakin textbook.
These past couple of weeks I've noticed my conversations with Mom have gotten stranger. We talk more about 'the kids', she tells me how someone (maybe a neighbor) is leaving yarn and sewing materials around the house. I've gotten busier with my job and find myself talking with Mom on the phone in shorter conversations.
I'm exhausted (I know Voyageur is beyond exhausted) and the dementia keeps picking up steam. Some days there is a reprieve of symptoms, but the disease continues to progress.
Oh yeah, and the conservator has said she has to subpoena some paperwork from the long term care insurance company to finish completing the paperwork - seriously??? Something needs to change with our health care system now.
I'm a solution oriented person - can't stand sitting in a problem. So...I'm talking with Mom more to help, troubleshooting with Voyageur and walking/running for 'The Longest Day' to help raise awareness and money for Alzheimer's (please give :) I'm resting when I can, enjoying my homemade lattes (especially frothing milk - I could become a Starbucks barista), spending time with friends whenever I can and getting into nature as much as possible.
Kickin' back to you Voyageur.
These past couple of weeks I've noticed my conversations with Mom have gotten stranger. We talk more about 'the kids', she tells me how someone (maybe a neighbor) is leaving yarn and sewing materials around the house. I've gotten busier with my job and find myself talking with Mom on the phone in shorter conversations.
I'm exhausted (I know Voyageur is beyond exhausted) and the dementia keeps picking up steam. Some days there is a reprieve of symptoms, but the disease continues to progress.
Oh yeah, and the conservator has said she has to subpoena some paperwork from the long term care insurance company to finish completing the paperwork - seriously??? Something needs to change with our health care system now.
I'm a solution oriented person - can't stand sitting in a problem. So...I'm talking with Mom more to help, troubleshooting with Voyageur and walking/running for 'The Longest Day' to help raise awareness and money for Alzheimer's (please give :) I'm resting when I can, enjoying my homemade lattes (especially frothing milk - I could become a Starbucks barista), spending time with friends whenever I can and getting into nature as much as possible.
Kickin' back to you Voyageur.