Writing

We had an email today from George's sister's daughter-in-law to let George know that his sister has had a major heart operation and has come through it really well. I suggested to George that he might like to write her a quick note which he thought was a good idea. He wrote stuff that absolute and utter rubbish so we sat down and I wrote the letter so he could copy it out to send - like a Year 1 pupil. This is such as shame as he was a brilliant writer.

Time

George is gradually going downhill. He asks, at least 10 times a day, what the day is - I have it written on the white board for him but have to remind him every time to go there to check. He does not understand what has happened to time he tells me. He keeps asking if it is Christmas Day; this is because of all the signs of Christmas in shops and streets. Time is a real problem for him.

Something I find is that although he can be left alone I need to realise I will come home to a mess. Mind you that also happens at night as I tend to go to bed to watch TV. I have to get up when he goes to bed as he can no longer turn the TV off.

shopping

Took George to his coffee afternoon tea at Wigram today. On the way I decided to go to the Warehouse as they are haivng a 20% off day later this week. I suggested to George that he might like to go and look at the men's clothing. I found him...

In the kids clothes looking at these tiny little clothes. I realised he didn't have a clue what he was up to so told him to stay with me.

At the cafe one of the other woman said to me about how his Alzheimer's has progressed (which it has).

Going to the Home

George wanted to come and see Mum in the Home at the weekend. When we arrived mum was thrilled to see him and her face lit up. Mum has lost a lot of language and so when she says something George then starts to quiz her about what she means. Mum is not able to articulate and gets upset and this can be when she calls people 'half wits' or 'smart arses'. It means that I have to be there and ready to break into the conversation quickly to stop this happening. George will also bring up topics which I have said not to discuss while we are there; does he remember this - no. Does he start to say something about it - yes. Again I have to be on my toes.  Boy it is hard work with the two of them.

When we went to leave I go fairly quickly after saying goodbye otherwise mum gets all upset. I had left the lounge room and left mum eating her lunch. Does George come too? As soon as I am outside the room I stop and look for George!! Here he is still in the main room, standing up and holding court telling them all about Prince Charles and Camillla's visit to NZ. No one knew what he was on about so he here was going on. It took me 10 mins to get him out, resettle mum and go!!

Contact

Yesterday George had a long conversation, via Skype, with one of the sons who lives in Australia.  He loves to talk to his sons and it is great for him to have the conversations - these help to keep his memories alive.

Friday night

George went to bed in his pyjamas. Later he got up and went out to the garage to look for his gold card which he lost with his wallet a week ago. He then came back to bed. At 5 a.m. he got up and put a winter shirt over top of his pyjama top. He then proceeded to put another shirt over the top of that. Having accomplished that he came back to bed. I asked him if he was cold (it was a warm night) but no he wasn't. I asked why he put the shirts on; he didn't know. He then promptly went back to sleep.

Mess

Whenever I am not with George or if I go out he creates a mess. He pulls stuff out and makes little piles all over the house!! He leaves stuff all cluttered over the kitchen table.

Yesterday I had to work and when I got home George had his oldest friend here to see him. I nearly died, the house looked like a bomb shelter.

It is just something I cannot worry about.