Tips For Caregiver's

People with Alzheimer's disease frequently become more disoriented after dark or when waking. Leaving a night-light on in the bedroom may be helpful.

~WebMd

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Little White Lies

Last night Muddear thought...well I am not quite sure what she thought. After dinner, when I went to spend time with Muddear she wanted to talk to me. She wanted to know why I fed her dinner last after everyone else had eaten.

I quickly explained that she ate dinner at the same time. That when dinner was ready I made everyone's plate, including her plate, and served dinner to everyone. I went on to explain that in actuality, she had her food and had begun eating before I did.

"No that's not true," Muddear said. "I went down stairs and I saw you and the family eating before you gave me my food. Why is that?"

"Muddear, that is not true. You are in a wheelchair and cannot go up and down the stairs by yourself."

"Yes, I can. I just hold on to the bannister."

"Not by yourself without assistance."

"Yes, I can. I don't need your help. I just hold onto the bannister."

"Well, if that is the case, I would like for you to show me right now. If I am comfortable with you traveling up and down the stairs by yourself, then you can come downstairs and eat with us all of the time."

"Well, I didn't go all the way down. Just part of the way."

"That's okay. This is very exciting! You have never been able to go down the stairs without our help. I would really like to see you do it again."

"No, what I said was I can come downstairs with help. I'm in a wheelchair."

"Okay. Then you really didn't see us at the table eating dinner did you?"

"No, I just thought you were and that is different than normal."

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nikki- after reading a few of your posts I had to comment. You are going to be so glad you did this years from now, what a great way to remember the daily things that make you smile during this time. I have worked in assisted living and my favorite residents were the ones with dementia. Whenever I had a bad day, I would visit with them and forget all my trivial problems. I so wish I could remember some of the things that would happen or that they would say that made my day, or that made me cry or that made me want to give them a big hug. I am going to add your blog to my blog roll (if thats OK!) I think people who land on mine would enjoy reading yours. Keep it up and may you and Flossie have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

njm said...

Thank you Lisa! Blogging has truly turned my caregiving experience around. It help me to see the positive even humorous side of caregiving instead of seeing it as a burden. Being 32 when my grandmother initially came to live with us, I was afraid of the sacrifice required to be a caregiver. Now I can't imagine our lives without her. Thank you for linking to Dementia Thoughts. I can't wait to check out your blog.

Jane Carlstrom said...

Hi Nikki, I've been reading daily for the last week and just thought I'd surface and say hello and just let you know I'm here with you and appreciate your sharing your and Muddear's days. Sending you good thoughts and energy everyday, even when not leaving a comment.
Hugs, Jane

njm said...

Thanks Jane! I appreciate your thoughts and kindness for commenting. Writing keeps me sane and being able to share and possibly brighten someone else day is simply icing on the cake.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!