Posted early 12/12/18
Mom was wound up today pretty good. She was doing the brain bandit babble (3b) off and on as well. 🙁 More common the last 2 weeks than ever. She had an awkward issue today that I need to discuss with the boss there before I consider whether to post it here as something for all to learn about. (Not a huge deal…just a thing). She also had a longtime friend visit today. It was wonderful to have her, and completely worth it (!!), but deviating from the norm tends to cause weird, short-term issues with mom. Fascinatingly enough, though, the issues go away as quickly as they manifest themselves….as quickly as the fleeting glimpses of memories that flicker occasionally too. (i.e. Mom did recognize John by name today. Hasn’t known me for a long time.)
Her brain is like an old TV that would show static until you point the rabbit ears exactly right…after manipulating them for 30 minutes…except in her case it is somehow just a periodic mirage that happens and then loses its channel again just as quickly it appeared.
My mom’s friend brought the absolutely wonderful Maria Shriver Alzheimer’s coloring book ( the picture), which mom will love. The arts and music are absolutely life-giving to mom and nearly all of the Sweet 17. There is something about stimulating the creative hemisphere that must provide peace and mental rest in a unique way for the ladies there. Need a reason to support arts and music in school? It is a fantastic brain enhancer… for the rest of your life.
Meds are a huge, huge, huge challenge with mom, and have been for 2 years minimum. We hoped that the nursing home would cure that issue, but there have certainly been situations where they were either missed or, just as likely, she didn’t get it down. Her food has been pureed for a year now due to swallowing issues, so it is a challenge. That is the job of the pro, but it is so painfully obvious when she misses her dose that it is an incentive even for them to be sure she gets it down. I have talked to many, many about this and it seems to be very common. Again…not slamming the care at all. It is a very hard part of that wing’s operation…
Lots of challenges in the memory unit. 🙁
#EndALZ
P.S…I seem to be the master of catching mom goofing off. She is still a funny and super sweet woman. 🙂