Spoke too soon...

I spoke too soon over George's toilet issues. I was just getting ready to go out today when George came out of the toilet. Again he had dropped it all over the floor and stepped in it. At least this time he took his slippers off and walked away in his socks. I got him to take all his clothes off to put in the laundry and go and have a shower. I then found him in the garage with the dirty clothes and when I asked him where he was going he told me he was going to the laundry...

I got him into the shower and I cleaned the toilet area.

Unfortunately this is one of the main areas where he has a problem.

Coffee afternoon

The coffee afternoon was held at Wigram airbase where there is a cafe. George had a sausage roll, a small mince pie and a toasted sandwich; as I said he has a big appetite.

A photographer from the paper was there and he and George had a long conversation about the state of the paper these days. George loves the social interaction with others.

Paper

George used to work for a morning newspaper and as part of his retirement package they gave him a life time subscription to the paper. A couple of months ago they stopped this (new owners had just worked out that there were quite a few papers being given away like this and so stopped them all). Luckily we are able to get the paper online for free which is a bonus (through the public library).

This morning, before I was up, George went down and got the paper belonging to the next door neighbours. I had to tell him to take it back and remind him that we don't get it delivered any more.

He then wanted to go and buy some wine. We talked about it and luckily he decided against buying any more wine (he still does each time he goes to Brighton and then has it after I have gone to bed...)

I am taking him to an Alzheimer's coffee club this afternoon.

A cold weekend

We have had no incontinence problems for over a week now so that is fantastic. I know that George feels good about that.

Yesterday was bitterly cold (and so is today). I went to see mum while George watched TV and got himself bits and pieces to eat. He is still able to make his own breakfast - he has cornflakes and milk followed by toast. Mum is very vacant at the moment; she knows me and chats but is quite tired and not wanting to do much. She keeps having wee cat naps. She had a very busy weekend last weekend and it seems to take some time for her to get back to old self.

I got George toasted bacon and egg sandwiches when I got home. Something I notice both with mum and George - they both eat a lot but do not seem to put on weight.

Last night I put the TV on the channel for George to watch the rugby and went to bed. George came to bed and I asked him if he didn't want to watch the rugby. He told me it wasn't on and it was just horse racing. I went back to the lounge and found he had changed the channel to Trackside.

Contact with family

George had a ring from one of his sons this week. He was really pleased to hear from him. His other children rarely make contact so he was able to find out what is happening with all of them as they had been together at the weekend. I know he likes to know how they all are and I know that he enjoys hearing from them as it makes him feel important to them. Although all the family are aware of this blog not all of them are interested in what is happening and do not look at it.

He also got a letter from his sister who lives in England. He also likes to hear from her. They used to write to each other frequently but unfortunately George is no longer able to write a letter. He tries but it makes no sense and he repeats the same sentence several times. He is aware that it makes no sense and it frustrates him as he really enjoys getting the letters and phone calls. Any emails that come for him I print out for him.

I have contacted Nurse Maud (Doctor's suggestion) re George's incontinence issues. They have suggested that I up the pills from the doctor (for loose bowel motions) to two a day and also try to get him to go to the toilet at the same time each day to try to get him into a routine. I am trying this so we will keep our fingers crossed and see how it goes.

Weekend

My sister has been here for the weekend and she has been taking mum out which mum has really loved. Each day she has taken her out for the morning, back to the home for lunch and out again for the afternoon. On both Saturday and Sunday George and I met them in Brighton for afternoon tea. Mum and George really enjoy doing that.

After Friday's problems with walking poo through the house George has had a good weekend with no further problems. I have found coffee mugs filled with red wine so need to watch that one, I am not sure where he keeps the bottles.

Snow

We have had snow here and could not go out for a couple of days. Poor old George; he loves to go out for coffee which I do with him most days.

On Friday I was working in the morning and when I came home found he had soiled himself again, stepped in it and walked through the house, that took me quite along time cleaning the carpet again. It really is a problem and I am not sure how to solve it. He doesn't seem to get onto the toilet on time and drops some in his clothes and on the floor but often is unaware that is what he has done!!

I took him out for dinner last night which he enjoyed. He had a chicken breast which had been wrapped in bacon and served with a salad and chips.

This morning he slept in until midday...

Better night

George had a better night and so is feeling much better this morning. He slept well with no problems.  I gave him a pill from the doctor for loose bowels but I can't do that all the time we'll just hope that these do the trick.

George poured himself a coffee this morning - he put a teaspoon of coffee in the sugar bowl and filled it with hot water...

Soiling

Last night George soiled himself again. He had on a pad but got it all over the floor in the toilet and on his slippers. I have a lot of cleaning to do today, just what I need. This is a real problem. I have some pills for when he has loose bowels and will be giving him these. He does not appear to be quick enough to get himself to the toilet in time and then it gets on the floor of the toilet where he stands in it and takes it into other rooms.

He is having a lot of trouble telling the time of day. Today, at 11 a.m. he came out and asked if he had on appropriate attire for bed; he thought it was time to go to bed.  He has little idea of what day of the week it is but that is understandable when someone is retired although he constantly asks and I constantly tell him. It is an awful disease as he has great recall in most other ways. He is keeping up with his exercises but does very little else. That is what is so good about the Harakeke club where he is interacting with others.

Visiting mum

This morning George went out to get the Sunday Times - he got a neighbour's paper and I had to get him to take it back, he was not happy about that. I explained that it was Saturday and yesterday was Friday. He told me it was very confusing. I said that I was going to see mum this morning. He got dressed and came out telling me that I could drop him at the Harakeke club. I explained that was on Tuesday and today was Saturday; he does find it really difficult to work out. I then suggested that he come with me to visit mum which we did. I have to be very careful about what he says when we are with mum so that it doesn't get her upset. She feels that she is in there because I have to look after him. The fact that I am now looking after him has not got a lot to do with why she needs to be in a home now; it would be impossible to care for her at home and she has a very high level of needs.

They both seemed to enjoy the visit and looked through old photographs which is a good way for them to keep remembering family members, especially those that they don't see frequently.