Monday, October 29, 2012
Fetishes
People Alzheimer's appear to often get fetishes about things. George always wants to wear a hat when he goes out; it might be a cap, a cowboy hat or something else. He also puts on one or two gloves no matter how hot the day is. Often they are thick winter gloves!! There are times when he won't go out unless he has on a hat and at least one glove!!
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Soiling
Yesterday George soiled himself again just before we were going out. I had to get him to shower and change and of course then had a pile of washing to do. Luckily he did not step in it and trapse it through the house this time but it really is not something that is easy to cope with. If anyone has any ideas I would love to hear them.
George's son rang last night. Lucky him; he and his partner have just spent a week in Hawaii, how lovely. They are also building a new house so they have obviously been saving hard to do this. An exciting time for them.
George's son rang last night. Lucky him; he and his partner have just spent a week in Hawaii, how lovely. They are also building a new house so they have obviously been saving hard to do this. An exciting time for them.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Week away working
George stayed in the home while I was away working. He took his memory book with him and showed it to a lot of the people in the home. He is really proud of it. One morning he woke up in another room, luckily it doesn't appear that someone else was there. Someone took him back to his own room.
I have a lot of work for the next three weeks which is not easy with mum and George to cope with. This morning I had to go to take mum out even though I was pretty tired. People think that those with Alzheimer's don't know if you go in or not - not true. We have someone going to mum every day and she knows if I don't go... This is where it is so difficult having no support here in Christchurch. My two sisters come over for a few days at a time and take mum out and George's son has been down once and taken him out but the rest of the time I am coping on my own - looking after them, taking George to all the places he wants to go to, housework, gardening, cooking, mowing all the lawns - it is a lot to do plus I have to remove the stuff from our old house and try to deal with EQC and the insurance company. Not an easy life at the moment.
I have a lot of work for the next three weeks which is not easy with mum and George to cope with. This morning I had to go to take mum out even though I was pretty tired. People think that those with Alzheimer's don't know if you go in or not - not true. We have someone going to mum every day and she knows if I don't go... This is where it is so difficult having no support here in Christchurch. My two sisters come over for a few days at a time and take mum out and George's son has been down once and taken him out but the rest of the time I am coping on my own - looking after them, taking George to all the places he wants to go to, housework, gardening, cooking, mowing all the lawns - it is a lot to do plus I have to remove the stuff from our old house and try to deal with EQC and the insurance company. Not an easy life at the moment.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Labour weekend
Getting George ready to go to the Home for the next week while I am away working. He had packed 3 jerseys, 6 shirts, no undies, no spare pants.
I have also been mowing some of the lawn, unfortunately because of the way things are due to the earthquakes etc I have to mow a hell of a lot of lawns. It made me think of what a lovely time George had when he retired 15 odd years ago. He used all his super (money) just on himself. He spent all his time socialising and doing things he enjoyed. He would not garden or do housework so the money I worked for was used for all our living expenses as well as hiring a housekeeper and a gardener which allowed him to have a very nice life style. I was also doing a lot of travelling with my work so George always came with me and had a lovely holiday while I worked
Now of course for my retirement I have both mum and George to look after, I worry about all the finances for all of us, I do all the housework, gardening and lawns. To be honest it doesn't feel much like a nice retirement. I have things to do for them every day.
When George retired he was going to do some work but just couldn't be bothered getting round to it. We actually need the money so I also have to find work when I can - in between looking after him.
When I retired I had hoped to enjoy life and do some travelling which of course is not possible at present.
That is my moan for the present...
I think all of those in my position as caregivers for someone with Alzheimer's (let alone two of them) feels caught and of course there are no other family members at all to help me with George.
I have also been mowing some of the lawn, unfortunately because of the way things are due to the earthquakes etc I have to mow a hell of a lot of lawns. It made me think of what a lovely time George had when he retired 15 odd years ago. He used all his super (money) just on himself. He spent all his time socialising and doing things he enjoyed. He would not garden or do housework so the money I worked for was used for all our living expenses as well as hiring a housekeeper and a gardener which allowed him to have a very nice life style. I was also doing a lot of travelling with my work so George always came with me and had a lovely holiday while I worked
Now of course for my retirement I have both mum and George to look after, I worry about all the finances for all of us, I do all the housework, gardening and lawns. To be honest it doesn't feel much like a nice retirement. I have things to do for them every day.
When George retired he was going to do some work but just couldn't be bothered getting round to it. We actually need the money so I also have to find work when I can - in between looking after him.
When I retired I had hoped to enjoy life and do some travelling which of course is not possible at present.
That is my moan for the present...
I think all of those in my position as caregivers for someone with Alzheimer's (let alone two of them) feels caught and of course there are no other family members at all to help me with George.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Carers
Well luckily the person who comes to help George with his showering and dressing was back this week so George has been much happier about that. Julie who takes him out for coffee has had a death in the family she she has been away this week.
I am away working next week so George is going to stay at Beckenham Courts from Monday until Friday.
Poor mum has been very confused lately which makes it difficult for her. She has still not accepted being in the home, I guess that they never do. It is awful really as you then have people telling you what to do all the time.
I am away working next week so George is going to stay at Beckenham Courts from Monday until Friday.
Poor mum has been very confused lately which makes it difficult for her. She has still not accepted being in the home, I guess that they never do. It is awful really as you then have people telling you what to do all the time.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Lots of social times
George has been enjoying life with all the social things he has been doing. Julie takes him out for coffee on Monday and Thursday so he enjoys that. At the Harakeke club on of the University students who has been working with George has made him a memories books - he is thrilled with it and has been showing it to everyone.
He has coped pretty well this week without the caregiver so that is good.
My sister came over from Australia and spent five days taking mum out which she loved.
On Saturday my sister brought my mother to Brighton to meet George and I for coffee. The next day I found a car key for a VW on the passenger seat in my car. I had to take it to the police station and explain the circumstances to them. The thought that it was very funny!! The cop was telling me that a lot of people with Alzheimer's are caught shoplifting, I can imagine this as they think that everything belongs to them!!
He has coped pretty well this week without the caregiver so that is good.
My sister came over from Australia and spent five days taking mum out which she loved.
On Saturday my sister brought my mother to Brighton to meet George and I for coffee. The next day I found a car key for a VW on the passenger seat in my car. I had to take it to the police station and explain the circumstances to them. The thought that it was very funny!! The cop was telling me that a lot of people with Alzheimer's are caught shoplifting, I can imagine this as they think that everything belongs to them!!
Friday, October 5, 2012
Carers
Next week George's normal carer is away. On Friday a woman came to help him. George was not a happy camper and his attitude was 'passive resistance' so he is not having a carer this week. Unfortunately he is not good at getting the appropriate clothes. He comes to be fully clothed with his pyjamas over the top. He loves to wear heavy gloves no matter what the weather. When asked why he does this his answer was " it looks posh".
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Carers
George has a carer to help him with showering and dressing each day. He won't cope with females so it needs to be a male. This is easier said than done.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Opening packets
George went to his club yesterday and enjoyed himself so that is great.
Something he does is open every packet of whatever. I find all these packets of food open everywhere and only one or two things eaten. I have had to find containers to put the rest in so that they don't go off. He can't understand about eating one lot before opening the next.
He has brought down a collection of old hats from our house and always wears one when he goes out!! He also wears gloves no matter how hot the day is.
Something he does is open every packet of whatever. I find all these packets of food open everywhere and only one or two things eaten. I have had to find containers to put the rest in so that they don't go off. He can't understand about eating one lot before opening the next.
He has brought down a collection of old hats from our house and always wears one when he goes out!! He also wears gloves no matter how hot the day is.
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