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Dementia in Real Time
Someone you know have dementia? Think you might be having symptoms? From Alzheimers, stroke, diabetes, or whatever the reason, we all will be faced with the roller coaster ride in our lifetime. Drop by to discuss and help others. We may not be experts but we are living it in real time!
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Dementia in Real Time
Sometimes the ones suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's seem to be on the inside looking out. We try to ease their
confusion and bring the outside in.
AND when we need someone who understands, we come here. We help each other scream, cry, and sometimes just laugh till we can get back up and keep on keeping on.
God love us all, we have to laugh to keep from crying!
10 days ago
Recent Messages
New Blog on Dementia
I wrote a new blog on dementia - titles "Time changes Dementia". Someone asked me how long I had been a caregiver and I realized it has been 6 years now. I think if you are starting with this caregiving, you may find some good information on what I have discovered.
Remember - dementia is different for every person but there are patterns that you can see.
Let me know what you think...here's the link:
view link
Remember - dementia is different for every person but there are patterns that you can see.
Let me know what you think...here's the link:
view link
Loving my Mom in Michigan
I finally logged back onto Eons.com after months. It's been too long, and I know this site has a lot to offer me.
My mom is in the mid stages of Alzheimers. She remains sweet; however, she has changed dramatically in the past months. She needs encouragement to eat. I make certain to set out only the utensils she needs (i.e. fork and spoon); otherwise she can't decide which utensil to use to pick up her food. It has been a new step for us to now scoop food onto her fork or spoon and hand her the utensil and ask her to eat it.
She gets several pills at breakfast and dinner, and the process is the same: instruct her to take one pill; tell her to put it in her mouth but not chew it; tell her to take a big gulp of milk; tell her to tip her chin up to help her swallow the pill. If we do not tell her one part of this process, she will stop and wait for instructions -- very unsure of herself.
We dress her 98 percent of the way. We make it look like we are working with her as a team - so that she feels dignity and doesn't feel she is being totally dependent on us. Reality is, however, that she is now totally dependent on us. The short term memory is now to the point that we may visit her favorite sister for a few hours, return her home, and within ten minutes she does not remember that she was at her sister's house. She asks where mom is sometimes. She associates images that she sees on tv, in photos or in magazines as real people who are in the house somewhere.
All my life I have never let an obstacle stop me from getting a project finished. I would always find a way around the obstacle - even if it was a little creative, a little unique, or took extra effort, time and energy. This obstacle, Alzheimer's Disease, is the first one I have not been able to find a way around, and it has made my past few months extremely down. I feel sadness daily, as I think of mom and dad at home while I'm at work. Dad is the same age but does not have Alzheimers. He is a good husband and works hard to give mom a nice day. That makes me worry about dad. I spend 90 percent of my day worrying about mom, dad, and then my two daughters who are in college. I work to make money so that my daughters can get through college, but I feel guilty not being home with mom more. This summer was the first summer where I didn't begin to go outside until just a few weeks ago.
Well, enough about my pity party. I think it's time for me to say some prayers, turn to God for strength, and keep in touch with this web site and the others on it who know exactly how I feel.
If you don't know my background, I am 44 and own a home. I moved out of it in June, 2007 to move in with my parents to help care for my mom - to give my dad a break. My home was on the market to be sold. Now I'm renting it out. My two young adult daughters also live home, and they have learned a lot about helping mom and just keeping her company. I hope this has helped dad a little. We certainly have stimulated their lives by moving in with my two dogs!
God be with all of you who are dealing with a loved one with dementia.
--Karen fom Michigan
My mom is in the mid stages of Alzheimers. She remains sweet; however, she has changed dramatically in the past months. She needs encouragement to eat. I make certain to set out only the utensils she needs (i.e. fork and spoon); otherwise she can't decide which utensil to use to pick up her food. It has been a new step for us to now scoop food onto her fork or spoon and hand her the utensil and ask her to eat it.
She gets several pills at breakfast and dinner, and the process is the same: instruct her to take one pill; tell her to put it in her mouth but not chew it; tell her to take a big gulp of milk; tell her to tip her chin up to help her swallow the pill. If we do not tell her one part of this process, she will stop and wait for instructions -- very unsure of herself.
We dress her 98 percent of the way. We make it look like we are working with her as a team - so that she feels dignity and doesn't feel she is being totally dependent on us. Reality is, however, that she is now totally dependent on us. The short term memory is now to the point that we may visit her favorite sister for a few hours, return her home, and within ten minutes she does not remember that she was at her sister's house. She asks where mom is sometimes. She associates images that she sees on tv, in photos or in magazines as real people who are in the house somewhere.
All my life I have never let an obstacle stop me from getting a project finished. I would always find a way around the obstacle - even if it was a little creative, a little unique, or took extra effort, time and energy. This obstacle, Alzheimer's Disease, is the first one I have not been able to find a way around, and it has made my past few months extremely down. I feel sadness daily, as I think of mom and dad at home while I'm at work. Dad is the same age but does not have Alzheimers. He is a good husband and works hard to give mom a nice day. That makes me worry about dad. I spend 90 percent of my day worrying about mom, dad, and then my two daughters who are in college. I work to make money so that my daughters can get through college, but I feel guilty not being home with mom more. This summer was the first summer where I didn't begin to go outside until just a few weeks ago.
Well, enough about my pity party. I think it's time for me to say some prayers, turn to God for strength, and keep in touch with this web site and the others on it who know exactly how I feel.
If you don't know my background, I am 44 and own a home. I moved out of it in June, 2007 to move in with my parents to help care for my mom - to give my dad a break. My home was on the market to be sold. Now I'm renting it out. My two young adult daughters also live home, and they have learned a lot about helping mom and just keeping her company. I hope this has helped dad a little. We certainly have stimulated their lives by moving in with my two dogs!
God be with all of you who are dealing with a loved one with dementia.
--Karen fom Michigan
For Vicki..
Vicki.. you have had so very much lately.. please take good care of yourself and Blessings to you and your family. We will be here when you're ready to come back and will miss you very much. You will be thought of often and prayers always. Big Hugz.
To Vicki
Vicki
We send our love and our prayers for your cousin and you in the unexpected loss of your aunt.
We send our love and our prayers for Sammy in the loss of his uncle.
We send our love and our prayers for the family of and for your son in the loss of his friend.
We send our love and our prayers for your neighbor recently hurt so badly.
We are all here for you.
Sunny
None left
I read your note,Vicki, and I was going to send a PM but I thought this was worthwhile to post as a message to the group.
I have noticed that as a caregiver for my husband with dementia - when something else happens in the family - it is almost like I have "none left" and it seems to hit me so hard. Losing other family members is so hard anyway but you are spread so thin with your concern for your loved one with dementia, it is tough to cope with other life things.
I can only tell you that Ma Katie will be fine while you are dealing with these other family issues and to save some back for you and your husband. Please accept my sincere condolences and I will look for you when you have some time to come back here. Hugs.
I have noticed that as a caregiver for my husband with dementia - when something else happens in the family - it is almost like I have "none left" and it seems to hit me so hard. Losing other family members is so hard anyway but you are spread so thin with your concern for your loved one with dementia, it is tough to cope with other life things.
I can only tell you that Ma Katie will be fine while you are dealing with these other family issues and to save some back for you and your husband. Please accept my sincere condolences and I will look for you when you have some time to come back here. Hugs.
Will be out a while. Please help post info!
Our hearts are broken. Our dear aunt has been taking care of my uncle (the one I had you all praying for). Now he is better and she said she had reflux but when her daughter took her walking, she got out of breath really fast so her daughter took her to the doc. They kept her and went in to do a quadruple bypass and came out of surgery and the doc said she did well, then came back out and said she didn't make it.
My poor cousin. Losing her mom so unexpectantly. Bypasses have become so routine. I thought I had my aunt all prayed up and it was just a matter of getting it done! She was scheduled to go on our family cruise in April. It is just devastating.
Too much! Last week Sammy's uncle died, then our friend died age 55, then a friend of my son's (33) died of cancer, THEN I get the call about my aunt and still reeling from that, my neighbor who is in my Sunday school class, pulled onto the highway and was hit a couple hours ago and broke her neck and is paralyzed.
Please pray us up some relief. We walk in faith and he will bring our sense of peace back.
Vicki
My poor cousin. Losing her mom so unexpectantly. Bypasses have become so routine. I thought I had my aunt all prayed up and it was just a matter of getting it done! She was scheduled to go on our family cruise in April. It is just devastating.
Too much! Last week Sammy's uncle died, then our friend died age 55, then a friend of my son's (33) died of cancer, THEN I get the call about my aunt and still reeling from that, my neighbor who is in my Sunday school class, pulled onto the highway and was hit a couple hours ago and broke her neck and is paralyzed.
Please pray us up some relief. We walk in faith and he will bring our sense of peace back.
Vicki
Mistaken Identity
Had a strange day today. Ma Katie's daughter flew in after a few months away. She thought her daughter was her deceased sister and her husband was her deceased husband.
She cried with joy and put her hands under her chin in prayer and praised God for bringing them back alive. We tried to tell her who they were and there were glimpses when she asked if it were her but then would go back to crying and thanking God everyone was alive.
I didn't know whether to be sad because she didn't know her or happy that she was so happy for the day.
Needless to say her daughter had a good cry.
So that is why I went to yearbookyourself.com and spent an hour in oblivion. By the way, that is the same pic (face) What a difference hair makes!!
She cried with joy and put her hands under her chin in prayer and praised God for bringing them back alive. We tried to tell her who they were and there were glimpses when she asked if it were her but then would go back to crying and thanking God everyone was alive.
I didn't know whether to be sad because she didn't know her or happy that she was so happy for the day.
Needless to say her daughter had a good cry.
So that is why I went to yearbookyourself.com and spent an hour in oblivion. By the way, that is the same pic (face) What a difference hair makes!!
Go play on www.yearbookyourself.com
Just for fun to keep laughing and take my mind off the day I had with Ma Katie today, Back in time:
I did and here is what I got:
If graduated in 1956
If graduated in 1966
If graduated in 1968
If graduated in 1978
If graduated in 1990
If graduated in 1994
If graduated in 1996
I did and here is what I got:
If graduated in 1956
If graduated in 1966
If graduated in 1968
If graduated in 1978
If graduated in 1990
If graduated in 1994
If graduated in 1996
Just for Fun
I read we are supposed to play mind games to keep our minds sharp. AT this point, I am willing to try anything :>
Begin with A
1. Famous actor ...... Aiden Quinn
2. Household item... Ajax
3. Something in your pantry... alumninum foil
4. Something in your fridge... apples
5. Store/Shop ....Ace Hardware
6. City... Alexandria, LA
7. Flower... Azzalea
8. Song... Amazing Grace
9. Book... Aquamarine
10. TV show .... Alf
Next?
Begin with A
1. Famous actor ...... Aiden Quinn
2. Household item... Ajax
3. Something in your pantry... alumninum foil
4. Something in your fridge... apples
5. Store/Shop ....Ace Hardware
6. City... Alexandria, LA
7. Flower... Azzalea
8. Song... Amazing Grace
9. Book... Aquamarine
10. TV show .... Alf
Next?
Photos
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Take Me Out ...
11 days ago
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Father in la...
about 1 month ago
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Ruth - mothe...
about 1 month ago
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Vicki with h...
3 months ago
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My Mother an...
3 months ago
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My Mum with ...
4 months ago
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