Archive for May, 2010

Wayne was on a care home bus tour yesterday from 1:30 til 3pm – he walked into the unit smiling with his group of residents – then he saw me – vroommmmm! He was so happy.

We sat with the group at tables having a juice and snack. So sweet listening to the conversation. They chatted away that the tour was good but no one could remember where they’d been or what they saw.

He was tired so lay down to rest – I could see the wheels turning. Rose up on one elbow and announced that he is fine, as good as ever and why was he here??? Then he stared at the clothes I had set out for tomorrow – maybe he saw “things or people” for I had to put them back in the closet. They definitely upset him – it’s something I do everyday and he has never commented or reacted.

Rather belligerently, he announced he was going to start walking. We ended up going for a half hour walk in the neighborhood to try to get his mind off things. The lilacs are in full bloom and I’ll load the pictures and post one. Everything was great, he loved the flowers and the nice weather.

Update re: home visit to our house

I’m not sure it’s a good thing. maybe this is why he said he’s good and wonders why he is in care.

Also, he held Buddy and looked at me saying, “This isn’t Buddy, is it?”

I assured him it was and he happily enjoyed Buddy.

Animals are allowed at the care home but I pondered taking a cat who would need a litter box at some point in the visit. Any ideas, anyone?

Yesterday Wayne spent 6 hours at home – he and Buddy were inseparable – same old connection. Buddy slept on Wayne’s lap or on his feet on the bed.

We celebrated with Wayne’s favorite pizza. “Home” is the care home for Wayne and he is more comfortable there. At the “house” he looks around trying to get his bearings. Once he commented that he thought he had been here one time.

Did a really bad “no,no” – forgot to sign him out – got a panicked call from the home after they checked all over for him – a kitchen staff remembered saying goodbye to us in the hall. They called my cell and I apologized – anyway, a good day – as good as it gets!

AD patients often leave their possessions around the ward or wander into another room, leaving their stuff there. So the nurse just off handedly said the picture belonged to ***. I left it at the nursing station.

It turns out that the patient had purchased the painting for Wayne at the plant sale and set it on his bed. No one knew it was a gift. He and I find it and he knows nothing about it so I gave it to the nurses to return it to the owner, whoever that may be.

The patient gets the painting back (the other day) and takes it to Wayne’s room again! It is a gift!

What gets me is that she remembers who she bought it for and once again puts it in his room.

Interestingly, this resident has a wonderful past when I was told of her contribution during World War II.

The other day a picture lay on Wayne’s bed when we came back from an outing. I inquired and the nurses said *** bought it at the plant sale this morning. We left the picture with the staff and I forgot about it.

Today, the same little framed painting is now resting on top of his shoes. Hmmm – - – either he’s into helping himself or we have a mystery. Knowing who it belonged to, headed to the nurses’ station again. Ran into *** and told her I found her painting.

“Oh, it’s not for me, it’s for Wayne. I thought he may enjoy it. Course, if he doesn’t like it he can throw it out.”

I assured her he loved it and hung it on his wall. Wayne was very touched. Now I will try to find a wee gift for her.

No one will ever convince me that Alzheimer’s patients don’t feel emotions of love and kindness! Bless your heart. ***