George was thrilled today to get a phone call from his eldest son for Father's Day. I have left Skype on in case one of them wants to Skype him. He really loves to hear from his sons and eagerly waits for any phone calls or Skypes from them. They may not realise it but it is so important to him.
On Friday I took him to see our friend who is recovering after major surgery. When we left the friend said he really looks forward to Friday when we go and visit so that is lovely and it also makes George feel as though he is able to do something.
On Friday he told me that he needed a hair cut so I told him that I would take him to Brighton on Saturday morning on my way to see mum. He was up and ready at 5.30 a.m.! It was actually quite difficult to keep him occupied until shops etc would be open - he kept making his way out to go and catch a bus! I had to keep explaining that the shops would not be open yet. I had to get him to take his pyjama top off and put on a shirt.
When I am working on housework or gardening George spends a lot of time sleeping. This is something mum does too. Both of them have developed really sweet tooths - something that neither of them had before. Mum now eats porridge - she would not have a bar of any milk products before...
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Stay one step ahead
I try but it is not always possible. If you are not supervising all the time all sorts of strange things happen.
George cannot open a milk bottle so I try to remember to do this before I put it in the fridge.
George's attempt to open the milk bottle.
He cannot open a can of drink using the tab. If I am not around I find all sorts of things on the bench afterwards where he has tried to spear it open (sometimes succeeding).
When I put new toilet rolls into the toilet area I need to start the roll before I put them into the container otherwise half the roll goes in his attempts to use it.
Last night he watched the rugby. This morning I found two new packets of cornflakes on the sofa (open). He thought that they were chips.
Today he has been rummaging through his wardrobe trying on trousers. He told me he had only one pair that fitted as he was too fat. He only 'had a pair of undies on under these ones'. I asked what else he needed on under them and he seemed to think he needed another pair of trousers.
George cannot open a milk bottle so I try to remember to do this before I put it in the fridge.
He cannot open a can of drink using the tab. If I am not around I find all sorts of things on the bench afterwards where he has tried to spear it open (sometimes succeeding).
When I put new toilet rolls into the toilet area I need to start the roll before I put them into the container otherwise half the roll goes in his attempts to use it.
Last night he watched the rugby. This morning I found two new packets of cornflakes on the sofa (open). He thought that they were chips.
Today he has been rummaging through his wardrobe trying on trousers. He told me he had only one pair that fitted as he was too fat. He only 'had a pair of undies on under these ones'. I asked what else he needed on under them and he seemed to think he needed another pair of trousers.
Friday, August 16, 2013
The future
Mum is now sleeping most of the time and is no longer mobile. She has little language left but still has lucid moments. It is really distressing watching someone deteriorate little by little. When I come home I am aware that this may be George's future.
Today when I came home he was sitting watching TV with his hat and gloves on - both of which he wears all the time (sometimes to bed). He had also pulled out DVDs and had them in little piles all over the lounge floor.
One morning recently I noticed a glass of coke on the bench. Something made me suspicious - rum and coke which he was drinking about 8 in the morning. He had some cans out in the garage....
Another woman from the Alzheimer's group was telling me her husband who is still pretty alert is spending money online like it is going out of style. He has obviously been the contoller in the relationship and he won't listen to her. He is spending 5000 each month!!
Today when I came home he was sitting watching TV with his hat and gloves on - both of which he wears all the time (sometimes to bed). He had also pulled out DVDs and had them in little piles all over the lounge floor.
One morning recently I noticed a glass of coke on the bench. Something made me suspicious - rum and coke which he was drinking about 8 in the morning. He had some cans out in the garage....
Another woman from the Alzheimer's group was telling me her husband who is still pretty alert is spending money online like it is going out of style. He has obviously been the contoller in the relationship and he won't listen to her. He is spending 5000 each month!!
Monday, August 12, 2013
Busy
Things have been rather busy lately. I went to Auckland for a weekend to see family so George went to Beckenham Courts. They are being remodelled and so they put him in a serviced apartment which was lovely and he really liked that.
He has just started going to Harakeke club twice a week. He really enjoys the club but has only been once on the second day when there are other people. He wasn't so sure that he liked that day. He went today and had a really good day. Tonight he described what he had for lunch - which he said was nice. "Peas and orange things"
"Carrots"
"Yes, and a thing like this" He made a circle with his hands. It was some sort of meat but not sure what. I do a heck of a lot of guessing as he knows what he wants to say but can't find the words.
His eldest son, who he hasn't heard from for ages, rang on Sunday night and he talked about the phone call most of the day on Monday. I think with busy lives people forget how much those little things mean, like staying in touch.
He has just started going to Harakeke club twice a week. He really enjoys the club but has only been once on the second day when there are other people. He wasn't so sure that he liked that day. He went today and had a really good day. Tonight he described what he had for lunch - which he said was nice. "Peas and orange things"
"Carrots"
"Yes, and a thing like this" He made a circle with his hands. It was some sort of meat but not sure what. I do a heck of a lot of guessing as he knows what he wants to say but can't find the words.
His eldest son, who he hasn't heard from for ages, rang on Sunday night and he talked about the phone call most of the day on Monday. I think with busy lives people forget how much those little things mean, like staying in touch.
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