Sometimes George wakes before me, like this morning. He had pulled all the clothes out of the wardrobe and there were piles in every room of the flat. Guess who had to put them away. He actually has no idea why he does some of these things and often doesn't think he has. When this sort of thing happens (and it does frequently) you are better just to say nothing and clean up after them. You often get the feeling that you are going round in circles.
This morning he was very restless (sundowning in the morning!). So after a shower and a nurse changing his catheter bag I took him out to a shopping mall. It is bitterly cold outside so thought that this would be a good option. We then walked from one end of the mall to the other - good exercise. By then he started to say he was tired. We had a cold drink and then walked back to the other end where I got him a cream freeze ice cream. He enjoyed all that and he seems more settled now.
At the moment our regular caregiver is on annual leave so we are having all sorts coming. Each one you need to explain exactly what to do, have everything ready for them and be on hand to help them. George finds it difficult to cope with a pile of different people in and out.
Luckily this all ends next week.
Showing posts with label pulling things out. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pulling things out. Show all posts
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Night time antics
I must have been very tired last night!
When I woke up this morning I went out to the lounge where I found an absolute mess. Good old George had been up in the night and brought a pile of stuff out into the lounge and piled it up all around the place. He was now back in bed sound asleep. I must admit I looked at the chaos and wondered how the hell he had done it. He had left three walking sticks under these piles. He uses a walking stick getting around and is always VERY slow. I have no idea how long it took him!
When he woke up I got him to help me put everything away. While this takes a lot longer at least it keeps him occupied for a while.
When I woke up this morning I went out to the lounge where I found an absolute mess. Good old George had been up in the night and brought a pile of stuff out into the lounge and piled it up all around the place. He was now back in bed sound asleep. I must admit I looked at the chaos and wondered how the hell he had done it. He had left three walking sticks under these piles. He uses a walking stick getting around and is always VERY slow. I have no idea how long it took him!
When he woke up I got him to help me put everything away. While this takes a lot longer at least it keeps him occupied for a while.
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Lost
At the weekend I took George down to the shop with me - he likes to go. When we got home I was unpacking groceries. He then wanted me to do something. From experience I have learnt to stop whatever I am doing and attend to his needs before any thing else. I did this and then having got side-tracked did not complete unpacking groceries. Later when I went to do this guess what? A bag was missing. I have been searching for it ever since!! George has no idea what happened to it. God only knows what George has done with it and he won't tell me. Unfortunately there is a perishable item in the bag!!
Friday, June 6, 2014
The down day
Today is a down day - this may because it is one of the days I go to see Mum and so he is on his own for a while. He got his onesie off last night but luckily no problems as he left the continence pants on. Yesterday I had to change them 4 times as he got them and his pants wet every time he tried to go to the toilet.
This morning he came out and said he didn't feel well but luckily felt better after breakfast and coffee. While I am away I leave him out food on the bench and put on a DVD for him. When I got back I found 4 odd shoes and slippers out in the lounge and several shirts out on the bed in the bedroom but luckily no toilet issues!! I always try to think of the positive parts otherwise you might not be able to handle things.
This morning he came out and said he didn't feel well but luckily felt better after breakfast and coffee. While I am away I leave him out food on the bench and put on a DVD for him. When I got back I found 4 odd shoes and slippers out in the lounge and several shirts out on the bed in the bedroom but luckily no toilet issues!! I always try to think of the positive parts otherwise you might not be able to handle things.
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Keeping one's head above water
George does the strangest things as well as things that can be very irritating.
One thing he does is goes through papers and books. He pulls them all out and scatters them all over the place. I got him a box to keep a lot in in the lounge which helps but he then goes and pulls down all the ones that are stored in the top of the wardrobe and has piles of them everywhere. I spend hours tidying those up.
Last night I was getting the evening meal and had put knife and fork on the table. He sat at the table and picked up the knife and fork and began to eat an imaginary meal. After doing this for some time he turned and said to me " I don't seem to be getting anywhere with this"...
Also last night he got his onesie off and his pad. He put on track pants! I woke up and realised this so had to get his track pants off and his pad on. He wouldn't wake and it took ages as he was a dead weight and it was not easy. I am going to get the safety pins used on babies so maybe that will stop him (I hope so).
Today he went out for coffee (twice) so he was happy about that - once was a free one from McDonalds which is great.
One thing he does is goes through papers and books. He pulls them all out and scatters them all over the place. I got him a box to keep a lot in in the lounge which helps but he then goes and pulls down all the ones that are stored in the top of the wardrobe and has piles of them everywhere. I spend hours tidying those up.
Last night I was getting the evening meal and had put knife and fork on the table. He sat at the table and picked up the knife and fork and began to eat an imaginary meal. After doing this for some time he turned and said to me " I don't seem to be getting anywhere with this"...
Also last night he got his onesie off and his pad. He put on track pants! I woke up and realised this so had to get his track pants off and his pad on. He wouldn't wake and it took ages as he was a dead weight and it was not easy. I am going to get the safety pins used on babies so maybe that will stop him (I hope so).
Today he went out for coffee (twice) so he was happy about that - once was a free one from McDonalds which is great.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Trying to keep this place tidy
Over the last fortnight I have been flat out getting George to all the places he wants to go, going to see Mum and trying to get parcels away for Xmas. Unfortunately one of the people who go to see mum has not been in for a fortnight so I have gone to see her on those days too.
The house and gardens do not get done properly. Today I thought I would do that and stay home!! George likes to go out every day for a coffee and something to eat. When he is like this it is easier to do it although that takes one to two hours. We went down this morning and I have been trying to put things away. He continually gets more out. I often feel like I am going round in circles.
I had clothes ready for the new week yesterday. I now find two clean shirts are gone!! He put them both on as pyjama shirts last night. I have tidied out his wardrobe and drawers again today and he had two pyjama shirts hanging up as shirts. I do put his pyjamas on but that does not mean he will stay in those each night.
The house and gardens do not get done properly. Today I thought I would do that and stay home!! George likes to go out every day for a coffee and something to eat. When he is like this it is easier to do it although that takes one to two hours. We went down this morning and I have been trying to put things away. He continually gets more out. I often feel like I am going round in circles.
I had clothes ready for the new week yesterday. I now find two clean shirts are gone!! He put them both on as pyjama shirts last night. I have tidied out his wardrobe and drawers again today and he had two pyjama shirts hanging up as shirts. I do put his pyjamas on but that does not mean he will stay in those each night.
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Signs of Alzheimer's
I have noticed that when George is showing more signs of confusion than usual it is when his bottom lip goes slack. I have noticed this on many of those with the disease. At times like this it is very difficult to leave them alone.
George has been like this most of the weekend. He often sits and goes through papers, pulling stuff out, cutting things out of magazines and papers to add to his piles of stuff. He also requires being fed at regular intervals; for example he needs at least half a dozen biscuits or several muffins for morning and afternoon tea as well as a proper lunch and tea. His arms and legs are extremely thin although his torso is not.
Today I was out mowing the lawn. After I put the mower away he went and got it out again for me to mow the lawns (helping me!!). He had left a pair of socks on the sofa in the lounge and I asked him if they were dirty and if so to put them in the washing machine for me. I then saw him stuffing one sock way down inside the other; why I am not too sure.
Mum is now very thin although she is still eating well. She is no longer able to walk or stand and sits in a chair all day. Often she stays asleep while I am there although she eats with her eyes closed. Other times she is awake and alert. At times she will have a lucid moment but these are few and far between; most of the time she garbles as she has lost most of the language. She appears to listen and likes me reading nursery rhymes to her. Some days her eyes are glazed but other days they are focused on what is happening and on you. Unfortunately when she is alert she also becomes anxious and grabs at things and at you.
George has been like this most of the weekend. He often sits and goes through papers, pulling stuff out, cutting things out of magazines and papers to add to his piles of stuff. He also requires being fed at regular intervals; for example he needs at least half a dozen biscuits or several muffins for morning and afternoon tea as well as a proper lunch and tea. His arms and legs are extremely thin although his torso is not.
Today I was out mowing the lawn. After I put the mower away he went and got it out again for me to mow the lawns (helping me!!). He had left a pair of socks on the sofa in the lounge and I asked him if they were dirty and if so to put them in the washing machine for me. I then saw him stuffing one sock way down inside the other; why I am not too sure.
Mum is now very thin although she is still eating well. She is no longer able to walk or stand and sits in a chair all day. Often she stays asleep while I am there although she eats with her eyes closed. Other times she is awake and alert. At times she will have a lucid moment but these are few and far between; most of the time she garbles as she has lost most of the language. She appears to listen and likes me reading nursery rhymes to her. Some days her eyes are glazed but other days they are focused on what is happening and on you. Unfortunately when she is alert she also becomes anxious and grabs at things and at you.
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!!
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Morning
In the mornings I give George his pills, his coffee and put his cornflakes into a bowl so he can add milk when he is ready.
This morning he woke before me. He
I am trying to get him to start putting things away. He brings out all these cuttings, magazines etc and spends a lot of time cutting out and pasting in - I brings out a huge amount and litters them all around. It is very difficult to confine him to one area and they are littered all over the place.
This morning he woke before me. He
- poured himself four cups of coffee
- put corn chips in a bowl with milk and ate them
I am trying to get him to start putting things away. He brings out all these cuttings, magazines etc and spends a lot of time cutting out and pasting in - I brings out a huge amount and litters them all around. It is very difficult to confine him to one area and they are littered all over the place.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
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.
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.
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.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Hoarder
George is a hoarder and always has been. Before the earthquake we had a big home so it wasn't so bad but now we have moved to a smaller home. I have ensured that he has a whole wardrobe to himself plus a big dresser but still... He is constantly going up to our old house and bringing down rubbish which we have no where to put it all. It is really frustrating as I have to do all the housework and gardening as well as everything else and at times I just feel that as fast as I tidy he puts more rubbish around. Also once he has stuff down here he constantly pulls it out and goes through it. I then have to remind him to put it away (or I do). This also happens a lot when I go out to see mum for example. I do realise it is all part of the disease but it can get frustrating - it is like when the kids are little and leave their toys all over the house.
The big difference between being a caregiver for the kids and for an Alzheimer's person is that the kids are going to grow up while the Alzheimer's patient is only going to get worse.
The big difference between being a caregiver for the kids and for an Alzheimer's person is that the kids are going to grow up while the Alzheimer's patient is only going to get worse.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Socialising
Last night George really enjoyed himself, it was great. We went to see some old friends for drinks at around 5 pm and ended up staying for tea. George was like his old self and had a lot to say. Our friends were very good and we all gave him plenty of time to find the words he wanted and things like that. He spoke quite openly about his Alzheimer's and how he is trying to stave off its progression.
I was well aware that I needed to be home reasonably early to get ready to go to see mum.
This morning I went in to see mum quite early as I knew a lot of people would be around the coffee shops and things as it is Easter Saturday and shops were all shut yesterday. When I got there I found mum in her room lying across her bed asleep. She was very tired and didn't want to go out (most unlike her) so we spent several hours looking at photos and talking about her past. She was very confused with most things although she would certainly have some lucid moments. Her back was not sore and she did seem more contented today so that was certainly a positive. I have asked the home to check her urine in case she has another infection.
I took in Easter eggs for all the people in the home (small marshmallow ones) - mum had about half a dozen. They came to take a blood test for diabetes but I did suggest that her reading may not be accurate with all that she had been eating.
While I was out George got the bus to Brighton and had a coffee and toasted sandwich. It is so good that he is still able to do that so confidently. He also walked to the end of the street to catch the bus - over a kilometer away. Last night someone said that they thought that they had seen him walking so he thought he would today - great stuff...
Later on George went up to our old house and started pulling more things out and going through them.
I was well aware that I needed to be home reasonably early to get ready to go to see mum.
This morning I went in to see mum quite early as I knew a lot of people would be around the coffee shops and things as it is Easter Saturday and shops were all shut yesterday. When I got there I found mum in her room lying across her bed asleep. She was very tired and didn't want to go out (most unlike her) so we spent several hours looking at photos and talking about her past. She was very confused with most things although she would certainly have some lucid moments. Her back was not sore and she did seem more contented today so that was certainly a positive. I have asked the home to check her urine in case she has another infection.
I took in Easter eggs for all the people in the home (small marshmallow ones) - mum had about half a dozen. They came to take a blood test for diabetes but I did suggest that her reading may not be accurate with all that she had been eating.
While I was out George got the bus to Brighton and had a coffee and toasted sandwich. It is so good that he is still able to do that so confidently. He also walked to the end of the street to catch the bus - over a kilometer away. Last night someone said that they thought that they had seen him walking so he thought he would today - great stuff...
Later on George went up to our old house and started pulling more things out and going through them.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Tidying up
Today I took mum out to have a coffee, feed the ducks and then go to a vege place where they sell berry ice creams (which she loves). She is still continually telling me that she wants her own place which always makes me feel guilty even though I know she is in the only place that can cope with her needs. It is really hard.
When I got home I found that George had pulled all the books out of the book case so I had to put them all back again. This happens all the time and makes more work. I know that he tries to help but really he makes a lot of extra work. He does not alway look at the whiteboard and I need to remind him to do that.
I try to encourage George to have a lie down in the afternoons as he gets tired.
One of the reasons I started this blog was so that our families would be able to keep up to date with his progress and know what is happening. It is interesting to note who, in the family, looks at the blog.
Another reason I started it is that I know I have found it really helpful to know how other people manage and what they do to help the person with Alzheimer's as well as finding out how the Alzheimer's progresses in different people.
When I got home I found that George had pulled all the books out of the book case so I had to put them all back again. This happens all the time and makes more work. I know that he tries to help but really he makes a lot of extra work. He does not alway look at the whiteboard and I need to remind him to do that.
I try to encourage George to have a lie down in the afternoons as he gets tired.
One of the reasons I started this blog was so that our families would be able to keep up to date with his progress and know what is happening. It is interesting to note who, in the family, looks at the blog.
Another reason I started it is that I know I have found it really helpful to know how other people manage and what they do to help the person with Alzheimer's as well as finding out how the Alzheimer's progresses in different people.
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