Last night George asked me if I wanted him to get us a cup of coffee each. I said that was a nice idea. He poured three cups...
This morning he put his cornflakes on a bread and butter plate and brought them into the lounge. I did suggest that we might be better to put them in a bowl with the milk which we did.
I try to keep him as independent as possible so have decided to try to say as little as possible when all these things happen and just go along behind cleaning up the mess.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Breakfast
This morning George was getting some coffee and cornflakes. He put the coffee in the cup and added the cornflakes into the cup...
Taking care of the carer
I keep being told that it is important to take care of the carer - easier said than done. I retired to look after mum and then she went into a home and straight away George was diagnosed. I knew nothing about Alzheimer's at the start of this journey (in 2010) and now I feel quite an authority on it... Most people caring for someone with Alzheimer's have other family members around to help share the load. Unfortunately I have two family members living here and both have Alzheimer's; all our other family members live in other places so I am it. This is why I started this blog was to let the other interested family members check in here to find out what is happening.
Something I worry about is my own mind. Although I couldn't work full time I do like to do things with my mind to keep busy. I am so grateful to those friends of mine who have found work for me. With one I did some relieving teaching work which I really enjoyed. I was working with young girls who had specific problems in their lives and were trying to move on. I found the interactions with these girls rather stimulating and hope that their lives go the way they want them to. Another friend has been finding me some data analysis to do for some research projects, this has been really interesting, particularly as it is about education and so it is something that I am interested in. The old job I left employs people to work on contract but unfortunately they have not offered me any work at this point. At the present moment in time I am able to work part time but as George progresses this will not be possible. To those people (friends and family) who have helped me to gain jobs or who have been there for coffee, chats etc a great thank you as that is so wonderful when you are in this sort of position. It makes you feel as though someone else cares. I must say though that you do find out who your friends are.
I meet friends for coffee regularly which is great and gives me some time out. At the moment the weather is freezing but as it improves I am going to look for some clubs or groups to join.
I also play a lot of Suduko and do the crossword puzzles in magazines and online - hopefully this will help the mind (fingers crossed).
Something I worry about is my own mind. Although I couldn't work full time I do like to do things with my mind to keep busy. I am so grateful to those friends of mine who have found work for me. With one I did some relieving teaching work which I really enjoyed. I was working with young girls who had specific problems in their lives and were trying to move on. I found the interactions with these girls rather stimulating and hope that their lives go the way they want them to. Another friend has been finding me some data analysis to do for some research projects, this has been really interesting, particularly as it is about education and so it is something that I am interested in. The old job I left employs people to work on contract but unfortunately they have not offered me any work at this point. At the present moment in time I am able to work part time but as George progresses this will not be possible. To those people (friends and family) who have helped me to gain jobs or who have been there for coffee, chats etc a great thank you as that is so wonderful when you are in this sort of position. It makes you feel as though someone else cares. I must say though that you do find out who your friends are.
I meet friends for coffee regularly which is great and gives me some time out. At the moment the weather is freezing but as it improves I am going to look for some clubs or groups to join.
I also play a lot of Suduko and do the crossword puzzles in magazines and online - hopefully this will help the mind (fingers crossed).
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Out for dinner
George loves going out so we have just been out for dinner. He had salmon which looked lovely. I buy GrabOne vouchers when they appear which makes going out very affordable. Tonight our meals would have cost $50 for the two mains but I paid $26 for the voucher - you could have two mains that cost up to $52.
George needed me to tell him what to wear - he had on pyjama top instead of a shirt but we changed that and off we went. He enjoyed himself.
The weather here at the moment is fine during the day but there is snow over a lot of the South Island so the wind here is bitter...
George needed me to tell him what to wear - he had on pyjama top instead of a shirt but we changed that and off we went. He enjoyed himself.
The weather here at the moment is fine during the day but there is snow over a lot of the South Island so the wind here is bitter...
Keeping things on an even keel
I took George to a mid winter Christmas luncheon a couple of days ago. He had a lovely time talking to all of those around him. Today he is at the Harakeke group which he really enjoys. He is making friends with those who attend the group and also the memory group. All of this entails a lot of running around for me but it keeps him happy.
Unfortunately I am off to the doctor's as I am not well. This is difficult as George really is not aware of others and how they are, with this disease everything revolves around them...
Unfortunately I am off to the doctor's as I am not well. This is difficult as George really is not aware of others and how they are, with this disease everything revolves around them...
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
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.
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.
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.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
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.
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.
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