The last week has brought change. Mom's mental functioning is not so good. She is still walking and taking care of her activities of daily living, but something has drifted in her mind. She sits and doesn't seem to realize how much time has passed. It is like her mind has turned into a butterfly -- hard to explain. She knows the day and time, but doesn't seem to place herself in it. Sometimes she just stares at nothing.
I should be compassionate with the changes, but I'm finding that I'm just irritable adjusting to the new normal. Maybe it's because I realize that the little bit of freedom I have now is about to vanish and that I'm going to have to make some big decisions soon. Wouldn't it be nice to have a family that cared about now? I hate making all the decisions alone. But I guess someone has to be the grownup in the family. (I think that is what I'll say to them.)
I'll get excited when she wakes with an alert mind and good attitude figuring it's going to be a good day.. But I can't help worrying when the ball will drop..
I guess I should be happy that she still has so called normal days.. The question is when will these days end.
This week is a busy one for me, so I'm thinking of what I need to do to find her another doctor. I know I won't be able to start the main search until Saturday. I do need to get her to a more dependable doctor. This geriatric clinic (Spain-McDonald) at UAB in Birmingham is the pits.
She qualified for 2 hours a week. Just not worth my time.
Maybe if YOU allowed them in ....for YOU. Yeah, preaching to the masses
Jessie my mom has not been able to take care of ADL's for probably four years. Though she is able to get herself to the bathroom and is continent except for occasional accidents, which she is a danger to herself trying to clean up. Haven't let her try to do that for about 1.5 years now.
It is very hard to watch these long slow declines. Sometimes I just wish it would hurry up already!
Just got a new report from the geri psch hospital. Mother is committed now till Nov. Her delusions are expanding slowly. Her disease is different from Alz in that it affects her mentally/emotionally, but not physically, so far. I agree the slow decline is hard to watch. There is a grieving with every step down but also as glad says - a wish for it to hurry up.
everybody has one thing in common -- if the sibs are in the pic they are only irritants . its just as well , they dont have the intellect for dementia care . it would still pay to find a way they can contribute and feel involved tho . if they feel left out all theyre going to do is hurl crap grenades at you ..