My Grandmother is 82 years old. I live with her. I have been for two months.
I took her to a Tastefully Simple party at a friend's house one night. She thanked me about 4 or 5 times for taking her. She said how nice it was to get out of the house. She asked me on the way home, if she had keys to get in the house. She was very happy about getting out. When we pulled in the drive-way she said, "Do I stay by myself at night?" I said, "No, Grandma. I live with you." She came in the house and sat down in the chair and said, "What bedroom do I sleep in?" and then she just cried and cried in the chair. It broke my heart. I went to bed that night crying. I felt so bad for her.
If we change her routine, she gets confused like that. She is realising more and more every day that her mind is slipping.
Dear OHChick,
Yes, it is sad when loved ones start showing signs of disorientation. My husband heads to bed at night, saying 'which bed do I sleep in?'-- and when he gets up in the morning, asks me where the toilet is. He just doesn't recognize this as his house. Your grandmother is fortunate to have you able to stay with her. It can be hard to be calm and reassuring in telling loved ones, 'oh yes, you live in this house' etc. while inwardly you're feeling that sinking feeling.
AliceJane
My 85 year old mother is doing the same thing lately...asking what bed she sleeps in, and in the past month has been thinking that dad and I take her 'up north' instead of staying home. Several times, she says that our house isn't 'our home.' One night a couple of weeks ago she thought that a neighbor dropped her off at a school ground and never came back.
I hate this disease....I truly do. My heart goes out to you.
