The ongoing saga.

Sweetie and me

I came across a bookmark with 10 A's for Alzheimer's. Thought I'd share one with you today and the rest as we go along. 

1) Arguments are useless. In fact, they often make matters worse. Confusion, memory loss and frustration are making the person behave irrationally, and you can't argue them out of it.

Boy, an't that the truth. One that they left out is fear. I see that in Sweetie's eyes when she is having a rough time. Trying to reason with Sweetie is the most frustrating of all thing possible. Especially when I'm trying to get her to do something that needs to be done. Anyone who is a caregiver knows reason and intimidation go right out the window when it comes to Dementia. Those who suffer with Dementia, know that we, the caregivers, are dealing with attempting to nail jello on to the wall. 

The ongoing saga of being a caregiver seems like a movie that doesn't have a plot, only villain's, overwhelming trials, and the hero has to navigate crocodile infested rivers. Will they get their Love One to the other shore safely?

Yesterday, we left our hero wondering what the day will bring. Sweetie woke and was better. She was more willing to be helped then the past two mornings. Hero proceeded to help, but when breakfast, wouldn't eat all her cereal and was worried, would it be a repeat of the day before? 

It seemed easier for our hero to try and get more medication on her ear. He was able to get her to relax and was able to apply Tea Tree Oil and A&D lotion to the ear. It was not as angry as it was the day before, so there is improvement on that front. With the less red ear, the better she was. Linking her aggressive behavior to the ear was the key for more of a stable behavior pattern. 

Did some online Christmas Shopping. Sweetie sat with her hero and didn't move. When there came a time to get outside, we did. Too cold for her, short walk. We did go and purchase a gift, and Sweetie was well behaved while we were in the store. Had some difficulty getting her to wear her mask. When I told her it is a rule, and that we cannot go in until she puts it on, seemed to make sense to her and she put it on and we went shopping. 

While home, she bolted to the door. This time I just went with her. Knowing that it was cold, and Dementia doesn't like the cold, it would be a short walk. As long as she didn't bolt for a door, we would be OK, and we were, OK.

We finished the day on a high note, cuddling on the couch, watching TV. Then to bed, and asleep. Over all, on big Easter Egg. 

Driver likes the way I was able to follow His directions. Love is the fuel needed for this  vehicle, and we filled up yesterday. It cannot run at all without it. Not the bargain brand love, it has to be the premium grade, the most expensive fuel available, and there is no substitute. Driver keeps an eye on the fuel gage and knows where the best filling stations are. We fill our tank and head out again. On the Road to Dementia Town, Keeping our Shiny Side Up. C'ya, Luv ya, and God Bless.