Changes in the house maybe not such a good idea - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

susie1955 · 05-11-2008, 12:38 PM

Well, the floors are in and everything back in place and hooked up, etc. Cleaning up sawdust today. They look awesome and I know safer for her to move around.
Yesterday was hard, Mom kept saying she was ready to go home. I kept telling her she was at home and she said she didn't have all her things here to do things with. What things, I don't know. I have learned however, whatever she says, just agree. She gets upset and cries if I try to explain, or correct.
Something new ecery day, and a learning process for me also. I am going to call the health care service tomorrow and see if anyone is available for overnights, so I can get some sleep. At least 3 or 4 nights a week. That will help a lot. She has an appointment with her primary on 23rd. Then I guess there will be more testing to schedule. Not sure what all tests are done.
Thanks to all of you for your support and words of encouragement. It is greatly appreciated.
Susie

Gabriel · 05-11-2008, 02:34 PM

I am sure you are pleased that the floors are done and I am glad you are pleased with them.

You are getting it. There is no reason to argue with your Mom. Her reality is her reality even if we don't understand it. I wish I knew how many times I had told my Dad that we would talk about "going home" tomorrow but right now it was time for supper, a tv show, to read the newpaper, or anything that diverts the attention to something different. Mom has her expensive quilt kit and sewing machine with her. She has already lost the pattern and I expect the pieces to be scattered but she thinks that one day she will complete it. We also took her computer to AL. She had to have it but to my knowledge she has not even tried to use it. But it makes her happy to see it there.

If you can find the booklet "Welcome to Planet Alzheimer's" by Candace A Stewart it does a great job of explaining their reality and how to deal with it. Rules number one is "Never agrue".

Every day is a learning experience. You grow with knowledge and experience.

Getting help at night so you can get some sleep is an excellent idea. You have to take care of yourself first in order to take care of somebody else. Getting sleep is not optional!

Hope the doctor's visits go well and you find out what you need to know.

Love, deb