the day after his birthday George went to his club. They had a cake and sang Happy birthday to him. When they presented him with the cake he had tears in his eyes! He felt very special.
The next day we went to the Botanical Gardens to meet one of his old school friends. This friend was visiting from Perth, although he has lived there since the 1970s New Zealand is still where his roots are and he comes back every year and travels around and catches up with old friends, really nice. He also taught me at high school. We had coffee and something to eat. As George prefers to speak to one person on his own I went for a wander around the Gardens some of the time.
The following day George went to his club again. The have noticed how frail he is becoming and don't know how much longer he can keep going there which is another real worry for me.
Friday was Easter Friday. George had a quiet day which he needed. To keep him as contented and 'with it' as possible it is best to keep good routines and not get overtired which can happen very easily.
Yesterday was Saturday and George's youngest son was able to fly down in an airforce plane and arranged to meet George at a coffee shop for an hour before returning to Auckland. George loved seeing him as it was two years since his last visit to see his Dad. The books I have made for him with photos helps him to remember people he doesn't see for a long time. It was the same with Mum. It is so important to see your family regularly as once they have gone you have lost your opportunity.
Today, Easter Sunday, George was delighted that the Easter Bunny had been and cheerfully ate a lot of chocolate.
Showing posts with label coffee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coffee. Show all posts
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Monday, March 21, 2016
The birthday boy
Yesterday all revolved around George.
George woke early and was sitting waiting for me in the lounge. I dealt to his needs first and then got his breakfast ready. We sang happy birthday while he had breakfast and waited for the caregiver who wished him a happy birthday when he came in.
After his shower he opened his present with me and his caregiver. He opened his card. Both things I had carefully wrapped so that they would be easy to unwrap.
We then waited for the nurse to come to deal with the catheter.
As soon as she had been we went to the Palms Mall so he could go to the Divine Cake shop to choose a cake. When we first entered the Mall the cake shop had gone!! We kept going and found that they had moved to a new shop. George checked out all of the cakes and chose a Tiramisu.
Next we went to Honeys where he had a toasted sandwich and coffee which he loves. The owner gave him a card for two free coffees for this birthday so he felt very special.
It was 30 degrees yesterday so lovely and hot. We had lunch sitting outside and watching the world go by.
On arriving home George found a parcel for him in the letter box. On opening it he found a lovely carved bowl from his oldest friend in Tauranga. He rang him and spent a pleasant half an hour chatting to him.
For tea he wanted to order Indian takeaways which we did (his favourite).
Later the caregiver came to put him into bed and then he had a red wine and watched a favourite movie.
He loved his day, it was all about him.
Today he has gone to his club wearing a silver hat. They will also spoil him there today and have a cake and sing happy birthday to him.
George woke early and was sitting waiting for me in the lounge. I dealt to his needs first and then got his breakfast ready. We sang happy birthday while he had breakfast and waited for the caregiver who wished him a happy birthday when he came in.
After his shower he opened his present with me and his caregiver. He opened his card. Both things I had carefully wrapped so that they would be easy to unwrap.
We then waited for the nurse to come to deal with the catheter.
As soon as she had been we went to the Palms Mall so he could go to the Divine Cake shop to choose a cake. When we first entered the Mall the cake shop had gone!! We kept going and found that they had moved to a new shop. George checked out all of the cakes and chose a Tiramisu.Next we went to Honeys where he had a toasted sandwich and coffee which he loves. The owner gave him a card for two free coffees for this birthday so he felt very special.
It was 30 degrees yesterday so lovely and hot. We had lunch sitting outside and watching the world go by.
On arriving home George found a parcel for him in the letter box. On opening it he found a lovely carved bowl from his oldest friend in Tauranga. He rang him and spent a pleasant half an hour chatting to him.
For tea he wanted to order Indian takeaways which we did (his favourite).
Later the caregiver came to put him into bed and then he had a red wine and watched a favourite movie.
He loved his day, it was all about him.
Today he has gone to his club wearing a silver hat. They will also spoil him there today and have a cake and sing happy birthday to him.
Monday, April 6, 2015
Easter
George seems a bit better today but a bit confused. A nurse came round this morning and changed the catheter as well as the day bag. Afterwards I took him down to Brighton for coffe and a chicken and cranberry pie which is his favourite.
Last night I felt so blessed with the best Easter present ever. I was so lucky to have a visit from my Dad. This is the first time he has come back and was so special. Many years ago my grandfather came back, how lucky am I? Dad told me how proud of me he was, how much he loved me and how he approved of everything I have done since January 2001. He knew all I had done which astounded me and he fully supported all the things I have done. He said there was nothing he would change, that I had done the right things which gave me confidence as it can be difficult thinking how you could have done things differently; not a hint of a criticism. He told me that of course he expected nothing less from me - sounded so like the things he used to say to me. I have always felt that Dad and my grandfather are with me steering me in certain directions and Dad said that that was exactly right. I felt an incredible sense of wellbeing and so blessed. Strangely enough a nurse at the hospital that day told me I had angels watching over me...
Today I have been mulling over his visit and everything he said.
Last night I felt so blessed with the best Easter present ever. I was so lucky to have a visit from my Dad. This is the first time he has come back and was so special. Many years ago my grandfather came back, how lucky am I? Dad told me how proud of me he was, how much he loved me and how he approved of everything I have done since January 2001. He knew all I had done which astounded me and he fully supported all the things I have done. He said there was nothing he would change, that I had done the right things which gave me confidence as it can be difficult thinking how you could have done things differently; not a hint of a criticism. He told me that of course he expected nothing less from me - sounded so like the things he used to say to me. I have always felt that Dad and my grandfather are with me steering me in certain directions and Dad said that that was exactly right. I felt an incredible sense of wellbeing and so blessed. Strangely enough a nurse at the hospital that day told me I had angels watching over me...
Today I have been mulling over his visit and everything he said.
Sunday, March 1, 2015
A messy day
Yesterday started with the caregiver coming at 10.45 instead of 9.00. By the time he had George showered and dressed it was nearly lunch time. Then a nurse came to check on the catheter. All is well there.
Finally I took him to Brighton for a coffee as I had promised (while we were waiting for the caregiver! - bribery). Obviously by then the better part of the day had gone. As I went to get a park I saw a tradesman walking back to his van. As he went past I asked him if he was going and he said he was. I thanked him and said I would back into the park. As he drove past me he stopped the van and leaned out of his window and asked if I was single. I shook my head but that was a nice little boost for the old self esteem.We did have a nice time sitting in the sun and having our coffees as well as George's pie.
Tonight he was looking through his memory book. Unfortunately he carefully cut through a page - he seemed to think a photo of my sister was the same person as an old newspaper cutting he had. I have carefully mended the book and suggested to him not to cut things out until we have talked about it. He has done this before. This is where it is often hard. There is no point in trying to fathom out why they do things and also there is no point in arguing about it. Just play along with it....
Finally I took him to Brighton for a coffee as I had promised (while we were waiting for the caregiver! - bribery). Obviously by then the better part of the day had gone. As I went to get a park I saw a tradesman walking back to his van. As he went past I asked him if he was going and he said he was. I thanked him and said I would back into the park. As he drove past me he stopped the van and leaned out of his window and asked if I was single. I shook my head but that was a nice little boost for the old self esteem.We did have a nice time sitting in the sun and having our coffees as well as George's pie.
Tonight he was looking through his memory book. Unfortunately he carefully cut through a page - he seemed to think a photo of my sister was the same person as an old newspaper cutting he had. I have carefully mended the book and suggested to him not to cut things out until we have talked about it. He has done this before. This is where it is often hard. There is no point in trying to fathom out why they do things and also there is no point in arguing about it. Just play along with it....
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Memories
This afternoon an old friend of George's rang from Perth. George immediately knew who he was. After the phone call he told me all about the members of his high school team, the positions they played and what has happened to them. It was astonishing how much he remembered about them all. He even remembered a phone call from one of them to tell him when one of the old team had died by putting his head under in one of the hot pools in the North Island.
At he moment George is able to talk on the phone and luckily he has two old friends from school days who ring him several times a month. One lives in the North Island and the other in Australia. It is so nice of them. When someone rings for him I immediately pass him the phone and he feels so special and talks about the conversation when he hangs up.
After I had showered and dressed him this morning - this takes over an hour - I took him out for a coffee and something to eat. He loves doing this and there were some buskers there playing jazz music. We sat in the sun and listened to them. George loved it and was singing along with them.
At he moment George is able to talk on the phone and luckily he has two old friends from school days who ring him several times a month. One lives in the North Island and the other in Australia. It is so nice of them. When someone rings for him I immediately pass him the phone and he feels so special and talks about the conversation when he hangs up.
After I had showered and dressed him this morning - this takes over an hour - I took him out for a coffee and something to eat. He loves doing this and there were some buskers there playing jazz music. We sat in the sun and listened to them. George loved it and was singing along with them.
Friday, February 8, 2013
Coffee again
I was working on cleaning out our house (a huge job) which I do little bits at a time. Came down home and...
George had put a jar of coffee down the plug hole in the kitchen!!
Explanation:
"I thought it looked funny"
It was a new jar of coffee.
George had put a jar of coffee down the plug hole in the kitchen!!
Explanation:
"I thought it looked funny"
It was a new jar of coffee.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Back again
I have been rather slack lately with my blogs as so much has been going on.
George is coping quite well still in many areas although not in others. The other day he changed his clothes five times during the day. He gets very tired during the summer and has been going to have a sleep in the late afternoon.
When something is not going quite right for him he starts moaning which is rather disconcerting as you are never sure what the problem is. He just goes 'ah ah...' and has difficulty articulating what the problem is.
Last night we had friends round for a drink. I had bought a bottle of wine which George opened. At the same time he opened another one which I had been given as a Christmas gift. After the others had left he continued to have a few more wines. This morning he got up and went and got the paper. The only problem was it belonged to the neighbour. I got him to take it to their place. He came back and went back to bed and back to sleep. I found that he had poured himself three cups of coffee!!
George is coping quite well still in many areas although not in others. The other day he changed his clothes five times during the day. He gets very tired during the summer and has been going to have a sleep in the late afternoon.
When something is not going quite right for him he starts moaning which is rather disconcerting as you are never sure what the problem is. He just goes 'ah ah...' and has difficulty articulating what the problem is.
Last night we had friends round for a drink. I had bought a bottle of wine which George opened. At the same time he opened another one which I had been given as a Christmas gift. After the others had left he continued to have a few more wines. This morning he got up and went and got the paper. The only problem was it belonged to the neighbour. I got him to take it to their place. He came back and went back to bed and back to sleep. I found that he had poured himself three cups of coffee!!
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Coffee
Took George out for coffee as he loves doing this. When we had finished he said he was taking his cup inside (we were sitting outside). The car was parked directly across the road.
I said I wanted to get something from a shop (by where the car was parked) and told him to wait by the car. I was in the shop for 2 mins and came out - no George, he had wandered off.
I was in a panic but luckily found him.
Can't do that any more.
He does not recognise our car.
I said I wanted to get something from a shop (by where the car was parked) and told him to wait by the car. I was in the shop for 2 mins and came out - no George, he had wandered off.
I was in a panic but luckily found him.
Can't do that any more.
He does not recognise our car.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
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).
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).
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!!
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Busy week
We have had a busy week and I have also been working a few hours each day. This can be difficult as George tends to get out a lot of things and then I have to put them away.
He took his new medal (that his son got him) to the Harakeke club to show the other people there. I am pleased to say that it came home again. A girl from the university is working with George as part of her university course and she is in the middle of making him a memories book so I am looking forward to seeing that when she is finished.
George has someone come to take him out for an outing each week. He loves doing that and this week they went to the museum and then for coffee. He loves going out for coffee and for meals. I also took him to a cafe for lunch - one of the Grab a Deal ones. It was very nice.
He does keep going up to our old house to get things (we are now in a small flat!!) which means that it is getting very crowded here. Also he has no idea of what is his and what is mine. Several times I have found him in my jerseys, and once he was trying to pull on some of my jeans!! All miles too small for him.
He took his new medal (that his son got him) to the Harakeke club to show the other people there. I am pleased to say that it came home again. A girl from the university is working with George as part of her university course and she is in the middle of making him a memories book so I am looking forward to seeing that when she is finished.
George has someone come to take him out for an outing each week. He loves doing that and this week they went to the museum and then for coffee. He loves going out for coffee and for meals. I also took him to a cafe for lunch - one of the Grab a Deal ones. It was very nice.
He does keep going up to our old house to get things (we are now in a small flat!!) which means that it is getting very crowded here. Also he has no idea of what is his and what is mine. Several times I have found him in my jerseys, and once he was trying to pull on some of my jeans!! All miles too small for him.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
A week
It is over a week since I have posted on this blog - busy, busy, busy...
George is still putting the water in the coffee jar rather than the cup - not all the time but about 1 in 10!! I therefore try to be there when he is making coffee. It really is quite an expensive trick. I want him to remain as independant as possible for as long as possible. To get around this I just keep a small amount of coffee in a jar and put more in as this gets finished rather than a whole jar going out..
I took George out for dinner one night last week. He loves going out for dinner but this can get quite expensive. What I have found is that I get 'Grab a Deal' vouchers. The dinner this week cost $31 for a voucher for two meals. Had we been paying the normal price it would cost twice as much.
I do find it difficult to get George to wear the appropriate clothes. He will come to bed (if I am asleep) in trousers, singlet, shirt and then pyjamas over the top of all that!!
George is still putting the water in the coffee jar rather than the cup - not all the time but about 1 in 10!! I therefore try to be there when he is making coffee. It really is quite an expensive trick. I want him to remain as independant as possible for as long as possible. To get around this I just keep a small amount of coffee in a jar and put more in as this gets finished rather than a whole jar going out..
I took George out for dinner one night last week. He loves going out for dinner but this can get quite expensive. What I have found is that I get 'Grab a Deal' vouchers. The dinner this week cost $31 for a voucher for two meals. Had we been paying the normal price it would cost twice as much.
I do find it difficult to get George to wear the appropriate clothes. He will come to bed (if I am asleep) in trousers, singlet, shirt and then pyjamas over the top of all that!!
Monday, August 20, 2012
Bad day
This morning George had breakfast and then was sitting in the lounge. He went to the toilet but didn't make it in time so had it all over the floor as well as soiling his clothes. Luckily the caregiver was coming in to give him a shower.
He had a lovely day and Julie came to take him out this afternoon. It has been raining all day so it was nice for him to go out and have a cup of coffee.
After tea George went to the toilet again and once again didn't get there in time. This time however it was not over the floor but in his clothes. I have suggested to him that half an hour after a meal he goes and sits on the toilet for a while to see if he can go. He is obviously leaving it too long before he goes.
He had a lovely day and Julie came to take him out this afternoon. It has been raining all day so it was nice for him to go out and have a cup of coffee.
After tea George went to the toilet again and once again didn't get there in time. This time however it was not over the floor but in his clothes. I have suggested to him that half an hour after a meal he goes and sits on the toilet for a while to see if he can go. He is obviously leaving it too long before he goes.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
night time coffee
Last night George got up sometime before 3.30 a.m. and got dressed. I found him in the lounge and told him it was the middle of the night and went back to bed. After a while he came back to bed and went back to sleep.
When I got up this morning I found he had left me a cup of coffee in the lounge. It was cold so I warmed it up in the micro wave. I took one sip!! I then found that George had put all the coffee from the jar (over 50g) into this one cup of coffee. There was no coffee left in the jar and the jar had been cleaned out. I think he had put the water in the jar and then poured it into the cup.
When I got up this morning I found he had left me a cup of coffee in the lounge. It was cold so I warmed it up in the micro wave. I took one sip!! I then found that George had put all the coffee from the jar (over 50g) into this one cup of coffee. There was no coffee left in the jar and the jar had been cleaned out. I think he had put the water in the jar and then poured it into the cup.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Memory clinic
We are off to memory clinic today. George loves going out. I have now got into the habit of taking him for a coffee and toasted sandwich as part of the 'going out'. Yesterday I had to go to the hospital for a test so George came too (he
wanted to). When I had finished guess where we went? The nearest cafe... - I have to check before we go out as to what clothes he has on. Yesterday he had on his pyjama top under a jersey, I decided that as others would probably not be aware I would not worry.
I must admit that I find my life is taken up with taking George where he has to go, seeing mum, cleaning up after George, doing house work - sounds boring? It is and I also find it pretty stressful.
Something I have found is that those with Alzheimer's have little or no consideration for anyone else. I guess it is because they are in their own little world. They do expect that everything will be done for them. I am not sure how those who live alone get on.
I must admit that I find my life is taken up with taking George where he has to go, seeing mum, cleaning up after George, doing house work - sounds boring? It is and I also find it pretty stressful.
Something I have found is that those with Alzheimer's have little or no consideration for anyone else. I guess it is because they are in their own little world. They do expect that everything will be done for them. I am not sure how those who live alone get on.
Monday, June 18, 2012
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.
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.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
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.
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.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
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.
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.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Retaining independence
The week is flying past with one thing after another. George is still going pretty well.
I took George out on Monday to have coffee with the Alzheimer's group but when we got there we found it wasn't on so we went and had coffee somewhere else. On Tuesday I had to go to Mum. George is still fine to be left at home alone which is great. I do have to be prepared to find a big mess when I get home. He doesn't mean to do it but he does get himself something to eat and leaves stuff everywhere. He also keeps getting things out from drawers and going through them. He never puts anything away.
He is also able to catch a bus to and from Brighton which I encourage. The doctor and I want him to retain as much independence as possible for as long as possible. He has let the girls at the bank know that he has Alzheimer's and so they help him when he wants money out.
I took George out on Monday to have coffee with the Alzheimer's group but when we got there we found it wasn't on so we went and had coffee somewhere else. On Tuesday I had to go to Mum. George is still fine to be left at home alone which is great. I do have to be prepared to find a big mess when I get home. He doesn't mean to do it but he does get himself something to eat and leaves stuff everywhere. He also keeps getting things out from drawers and going through them. He never puts anything away.
He is also able to catch a bus to and from Brighton which I encourage. The doctor and I want him to retain as much independence as possible for as long as possible. He has let the girls at the bank know that he has Alzheimer's and so they help him when he wants money out.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Coffee morning
Took mum out for coffee today. She is finding it more and more difficult to do things such as getting in and out of the car, sitting at a table etc. I took her to Brighton where we met George. Both of them enjoy this time even though mum makes little sense a lot of the time.
George went to the bank and also travelled home by bus - it is important that he keeps doing things like this independently so that he retains these abilities. When I arrived home he had drunk a bottle of wine! It is hard to keep him off it when I am not there and even then he puts it in coffee mugs.
George went to the bank and also travelled home by bus - it is important that he keeps doing things like this independently so that he retains these abilities. When I arrived home he had drunk a bottle of wine! It is hard to keep him off it when I am not there and even then he puts it in coffee mugs.
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