Today the carers have continued to have problems getting George out of bed however the managed it. He is drinking well but not eating much.
Sometimes I think it is like the seven dwarfs and I never know which one it will be. Today it was Sleepy.
When I arrived George was asleep in an armchair in his room. He was curled over and sound asleep. It took some time to wake him up. Throughout the time I was there he would wake for a short while and then go straight back to sleep. I always chatter about the family and friends. I asked him who I was. He knew I am his wife but I don't think he knew my name. As I chat about people I ask him who they are. Most of the time he is back asleep. Today I was chatting to him about Mark. I asked who Mark is. 'He's my eldest son' said George. Although fleeting a very lucid moment.
I think it is so important to try to keep these memories alive through video, photos and stories.
Showing posts with label sleeping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sleeping. Show all posts
Friday, January 20, 2017
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Lock down
George's Home is in lock down at present as many residents have vomitting and diarrhoea. Keeping fingers crossed at the moment as so far George has not been affected. I am still popping in with milk shakes and things but I am not staying for long.
Often, when I arrive, George will be seating in the lounge and be sleeping. After a while he will wake. He still recognises everyone and enjoys looking through his books and photos. We discuss the photos and talk about things we all did together. He also enjoys hand massages. His language is often really good and we will have a long and, sometimes, involved conversation. Another day his language makes very little sense, it varies from day to day.
He is quite happy in the home and does enjoy being with others. The unit he is in only caters for twelve residents which is ideal for him. He is getting to know some of the other residents many of whom and still operating at a higher level than he is.
Often, when I arrive, George will be seating in the lounge and be sleeping. After a while he will wake. He still recognises everyone and enjoys looking through his books and photos. We discuss the photos and talk about things we all did together. He also enjoys hand massages. His language is often really good and we will have a long and, sometimes, involved conversation. Another day his language makes very little sense, it varies from day to day.
He is quite happy in the home and does enjoy being with others. The unit he is in only caters for twelve residents which is ideal for him. He is getting to know some of the other residents many of whom and still operating at a higher level than he is.
Friday, November 6, 2015
A down day
Last night George was up and down during the night. This morning I found, in the lounge, a mountain of pillows and clothes on the sofa and chairs. He did not have to get up early (just as well) as the caregiver does not arrive until 10 o'clock. He has slept a lot today and really not been with it. While he is asleep I do not disturb him as he must be catching up on last nights antics - like a teenager!! Took me some considerable time to sort it out this morning.
He is becoming very frail and I do worry about him falling but he has lots of walking sticks around the house as he leaves them in all sorts of places.
Last night the caregiver asked about what the clapping meant and I said I wasn't sure but he did it a lot. It could be
He is becoming very frail and I do worry about him falling but he has lots of walking sticks around the house as he leaves them in all sorts of places.
Last night the caregiver asked about what the clapping meant and I said I wasn't sure but he did it a lot. It could be
- happy
- telling you to get a move on
- he appreciated whatever was going on
- he just likes the sound of it
Not sure myself, probably a bit of each one.
Friday, October 30, 2015
The journey
Each person's journey is different which makes it especially difficult for caregivers as you are not sure what is coming next.
Strangely Mum and George's journey has been very similar.
George has been very confused this week. Often those with Alzheimer's can 'rally'. Mum did each time my sisters visited. George did last weekend with his son. This is great as it gives them all quality time. Afterwards they seem to 'go down' and become more confused for a time and they are also very tired. . I guess this is because while the visits are going on they are the centre of attention and they are going out and about a lot. By the end they are tired and it takes a while to recuperate from that and go back into routines. This is even when the visits are of short duration.
I can certainly see that had Mum not have had her fracture and landed in hospital for a month I would have been able to cope with her at home for a lot longer. So sad that so many health professionals are not understanding about dementia. If something similar happens to George I would also expect to see a similar deterioration.
Strangely Mum and George's journey has been very similar.
George has been very confused this week. Often those with Alzheimer's can 'rally'. Mum did each time my sisters visited. George did last weekend with his son. This is great as it gives them all quality time. Afterwards they seem to 'go down' and become more confused for a time and they are also very tired. . I guess this is because while the visits are going on they are the centre of attention and they are going out and about a lot. By the end they are tired and it takes a while to recuperate from that and go back into routines. This is even when the visits are of short duration.
I can certainly see that had Mum not have had her fracture and landed in hospital for a month I would have been able to cope with her at home for a lot longer. So sad that so many health professionals are not understanding about dementia. If something similar happens to George I would also expect to see a similar deterioration.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Problem solved
Realised last night that I forgot to go to Nurse Maud to pick up George's diapers so I will need to fit that in today. I also have to take George to see a friend this morning and then to an Alzheimer's coffe this afternoon. I need to stay with him at these things so that is today written off. This is something that caregivers find; most of their time will be taken up with doing things for and with the person. It is really important to keep routines going which gives the person with Alzheimer's a sense of security.
Since putting the onesie on back the front we have luckily had no more problems at night this week ( thank God ). Problem solved.
Our whole country almost came to a standstill over cricket this week. It is great for everyone to get behind these teams. Although George was highly involved in sports all his life he has now lost interest but enjoys reliving games played years ago.
Since putting the onesie on back the front we have luckily had no more problems at night this week ( thank God ). Problem solved.
Our whole country almost came to a standstill over cricket this week. It is great for everyone to get behind these teams. Although George was highly involved in sports all his life he has now lost interest but enjoys reliving games played years ago.
Friday, March 6, 2015
Bed
George wriggles around a lot in bed at night. This morning the bed was in a hell of a mess. He had taken the duvet out of the duvet cover (completely), got the sheets (queen size) completely off, got another sheet and put that on top.
Don't know about you but getting that duvet inside a duvet cover is a task all by itself...
I am using a technique I saw on YouTube but I had to repeat it several times as I didn't do it quite right and had to start again. As I have to do everything on my own I have to keep going from side to side, i.e. running to the other side over and over. Quite an exercise and took me ages.
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Busy week
After the good day on Monday George has been quite needy for the rest of the week. On Tuesday he had a 'dizzy spell' so I had to leave him home instead of going to Harakeke as I had another appointment. We had a doctor's appointment later in the day so we are testing his blood to see if anything is wrong.
Last night he managed to take the onesie off (two pins tonight!) resulting in him putting on and wetting 4 more pairs of trousers. Luckily the bed wasn't wet however my first task this morning was the washing. He got up at about 4 this morning. This is something that can be pretty hard to deal with.
Today I have taken him to go to see a friend for the morning. He loves to socialise...
Last night he managed to take the onesie off (two pins tonight!) resulting in him putting on and wetting 4 more pairs of trousers. Luckily the bed wasn't wet however my first task this morning was the washing. He got up at about 4 this morning. This is something that can be pretty hard to deal with.
Today I have taken him to go to see a friend for the morning. He loves to socialise...
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Tell tale signs
Yesterday I went to see my mother. She is going through a very alert stage although she is now immobile and has little language. She knew me which is a plus. Both sisters arrive during this week so I am hoping that she is like this for them.
When I got home George had eaten his morning tea and was sitting on the couch. He appeared more confused than usual. His mouth was slack. I have come to recognise this as a sign that things are not going too well. I sent him to have a sleep on the bed. He actually slept for a long time and when he awoke he was a hundred times better. I have found this several times so now know to look for that sign.
You need to watch the person you are caregiving for and look for the signs to give you warning so you can intervene early.
When I got home George had eaten his morning tea and was sitting on the couch. He appeared more confused than usual. His mouth was slack. I have come to recognise this as a sign that things are not going too well. I sent him to have a sleep on the bed. He actually slept for a long time and when he awoke he was a hundred times better. I have found this several times so now know to look for that sign.
You need to watch the person you are caregiving for and look for the signs to give you warning so you can intervene early.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Toilet paper
I still haven't worked out what he does with it....
Toilet paper; I took a new roll into the toilet this morning. Next time I went in there 3/4 of the roll was gone. I tend to buy a lot of toilet paper.
At the moment Mum is sleeping during the day and awake at night. One of the people I usually get to go in didn't go in this week (ear ache one day and having new carpet laid on another) so I went in for the extra times as we are trying to get her awake during the day so she sleeps at night. Apparently she lies and chats away to herself. Maybe she is seeing her family at this time, I do not know.
Today I went to mum while George was visited with a friend and then I picked him up. He loves gossiping with others. Today they talked about the 1972 rugby tour George was on.
Toilet paper; I took a new roll into the toilet this morning. Next time I went in there 3/4 of the roll was gone. I tend to buy a lot of toilet paper.
At the moment Mum is sleeping during the day and awake at night. One of the people I usually get to go in didn't go in this week (ear ache one day and having new carpet laid on another) so I went in for the extra times as we are trying to get her awake during the day so she sleeps at night. Apparently she lies and chats away to herself. Maybe she is seeing her family at this time, I do not know.
Today I went to mum while George was visited with a friend and then I picked him up. He loves gossiping with others. Today they talked about the 1972 rugby tour George was on.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Sleeping and eating
Although George is not to the same point as Mum he spends a lot of time eating and sleeping.
I need to get him breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and tea. He will also look around for supper.
He often goes to sleep on the couch.
This morning when he got up he had on, a hat, two jerseys (inside out) and a pair of undies. He came into the lounge looking for socks. I just leave him and it gets sorted when he has his shower. Instead of saying anything I get his medication, coffee and breakfast.
Don't sweat the little stuff.
I need to get him breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and tea. He will also look around for supper.
He often goes to sleep on the couch.
This morning when he got up he had on, a hat, two jerseys (inside out) and a pair of undies. He came into the lounge looking for socks. I just leave him and it gets sorted when he has his shower. Instead of saying anything I get his medication, coffee and breakfast.
Don't sweat the little stuff.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Night time
There appear to be times when George gets up during the night and I don't wake. This morning I found that his shoes were inside his slippers so he was wearing the two at once. When he woke this morning that is what he puts on.
On Saturday, when I got home from visiting Mum, I found George in the garage waiting for me. He had been to Brighton and done some shopping. He thought that he had left his shopping somewhere. I asked if it was in the bus stop (thinking of the bus stop in Brighton). He kept talking about the bus stop but didn't really know. I got him into the car and started driving towards Brighton. A little bit down the road he said 'That's where it will be'. He was pointing to the bus shelter GOING to Brighton. I said that he would have been there when he was going to Brighton but he insisted on getting out and looking, nothing there. Got home and there in the pantry was his shopping bag!!
On Saturday, when I got home from visiting Mum, I found George in the garage waiting for me. He had been to Brighton and done some shopping. He thought that he had left his shopping somewhere. I asked if it was in the bus stop (thinking of the bus stop in Brighton). He kept talking about the bus stop but didn't really know. I got him into the car and started driving towards Brighton. A little bit down the road he said 'That's where it will be'. He was pointing to the bus shelter GOING to Brighton. I said that he would have been there when he was going to Brighton but he insisted on getting out and looking, nothing there. Got home and there in the pantry was his shopping bag!!
Sunday, March 3, 2013
falls
I am not too sure what to do about this one. George tends to rock back and forwards in bed at night (and pull the sheets and duvet off me).
Last night he rocked and landed on the floor!! It took me quite a bit to get him back to bed and luckily he was not hurt but it is something I need to watch out for.
Last night he rocked and landed on the floor!! It took me quite a bit to get him back to bed and luckily he was not hurt but it is something I need to watch out for.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)