It is Friday evening at the Ray House and pretty quiet. Karen watched Diane until three thirty while I worked at putting Tile in the Master Bath and Jacob was in his room doing what a lot of men do on their day off. Multitasking the Remote on his TV. We did slip out for a little while to do some banking and grab a Hamburger. We will be doing the caregiving for the rest of the weekend until Monday morning.
Diane has really been quiet lately and really depends on others to make her decisions for her. She does let you know when she has had enough to eat. She responds to affection and is not afraid to show you some. She talks about her kids a lot and loves having them around. One concern I have is her inability to stand up or walk any distance.
One of the things I've stressed in the past is how important it is for the Caregiver to get a break and how necessary it is for them to make sure they get the treatment they need. I really have tried to adhere to my own advice, but it's not as easy you might per sieve.
I've had opportunity to have lunch with friends and have had a few fine meals by myself. We have also gone on some outings with family that was especially enjoyable. Even though it was so much easier on all of us not having to worry and serve her, we all felt like there was something missing.
I going to address something that might be benificial to those who aren't sure how to converse with someone with advanced Dementia. We have to realize they are processing much slower than we are and it's our responsibility to keep them in the conversation. It might look like their not aware of what's going on, but you would be surprised what they are picking up. Even when she was more aware, she would tell me that she loved being part of the conversation, but couldn't think fast enough to inter into the dialog. The problem is she gets the different conversations and what's being said on the Television mixed up. She does at times believe the Charactors on the screen are aware of us. Its important to have one on one at her pace. You will be surprised how rewarding it can be.
paul
If I'm part of the Group? WHY ARE YOU SO FAR OUT FRONT ?
Diane has really been quiet lately and really depends on others to make her decisions for her. She does let you know when she has had enough to eat. She responds to affection and is not afraid to show you some. She talks about her kids a lot and loves having them around. One concern I have is her inability to stand up or walk any distance.
One of the things I've stressed in the past is how important it is for the Caregiver to get a break and how necessary it is for them to make sure they get the treatment they need. I really have tried to adhere to my own advice, but it's not as easy you might per sieve.
I've had opportunity to have lunch with friends and have had a few fine meals by myself. We have also gone on some outings with family that was especially enjoyable. Even though it was so much easier on all of us not having to worry and serve her, we all felt like there was something missing.
I going to address something that might be benificial to those who aren't sure how to converse with someone with advanced Dementia. We have to realize they are processing much slower than we are and it's our responsibility to keep them in the conversation. It might look like their not aware of what's going on, but you would be surprised what they are picking up. Even when she was more aware, she would tell me that she loved being part of the conversation, but couldn't think fast enough to inter into the dialog. The problem is she gets the different conversations and what's being said on the Television mixed up. She does at times believe the Charactors on the screen are aware of us. Its important to have one on one at her pace. You will be surprised how rewarding it can be.
paul
If I'm part of the Group? WHY ARE YOU SO FAR OUT FRONT ?