It must be awful to be confused all day, at least I feel terribly for him. He goes from pillar to post, wondering what he was doing/getting, etc.
Before dinner tonight, I suggested he wash his hands – it still amazes me – difficult to find the hall, then the correct light switch, although if I say “the second one” it helps. Touch his left rear pant pocket to guide him into the bedroom, keep moving to the ensuite, show him the soap, towel and start the water. He thanks me.
I go back to the kitchen, where is Wayne? Listen, water running. Go check, he is standing there. When he sees me he asks, “What was I to be doing?”
AD as such doesn’t wear me out, it is the absolutely constant “guiding’ that literally tires me out. By 10pm I’m bushed.
Yesterday we visited our family Doc – usually Wayne runs the opposite direction but for some reason he was happy to go in, shake Doc’s hand and visit. After Wayne left, Doc said to me, “It’s a crime. He’s just such a pleasant fellow.”
Amen to that, Doc.
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You’re very lucky that he’s so pleasant, Jean.
AD is certainly a crime and it steals the lives of not only the afflicted but the caretaker. grrrr……@ AD
HUGS
You both must be exhausted. Maybe that is, in part, why he sleeps so long. It takes so much energy to process a thought into action. It also takes huge amounts of patience and energy on your part to help him do everything but breathe. God will set things right some day, but today is hard. He knows. You’re not alone-God is just one cry of help away. Sending hugs and a prayer for your both this morning. Love, Annette
Amen.
I echo and amen every singe word that Annette wrote..she put it exactly as I felt…prayers and hugs…
Jean, you hit the nail on the head. It’s the constant guiding and supervising that will kill a caregiver. Because after a certain point in the disease, the AD patient needs help with every task, almost every minute of the day. No caregiver can keep up with that for long.
AD is one of the cruelest crimes I know, and I am so sorry that it has caused such tragedy in our lives.
Love, Laura
http://alzheimersandmomblog.blogspot.com/
My mom used to get up and go to the rest room every 5 mins.it seemed like . I was so pooped by the end of the day because we had to help her she was forgetting how to use her legs. She would be walking and her knees would just give way. She also forgot how to move her feet. we would have to tell her to move the right foot than the left over and over. Now she will not move at all. Where ever she is put she stays. I miss the days when she got up and down. But I remember how I wished she would stay in her chair for more than 5 mins. Sometimes you don’t really want what you wish for. I am so sorry for you.
It absolutely breaks my heart that our wonderful men are going through this!!!! I hate Alzheimer’s….
Jean, you have such a wonderful attitude!!!
Hoping you have a good weekend!
Dear Jean, you have the patience of a saint. And I agree with your family doctor.
Hugs
I do believe it is exhausting to be confused. I also think it is much more exhausting to have to constantly cue someone. It’s neverending.