Still amazed at the many coincidences on the forum... Llama, it was just yesterday my hubs and I had Kenf###tied chicken....the first time in over 4 months, but we were in a big hurry. U R So funny! Please just ignore the new poster who unjustly criticized you. We've got your back. imo.
Sendhelp: Aww, thank you! The thing was that my mother didn't know many "cuss" words, God bless her. She still laughed along with us! So glad you were able to get that quickie (insert LOL) meal at KFC!
My mom has dementia and was having a hard time recognizing her toothpaste (even though it was right next to her toothbrush) so I switched from Sensodyne (it has a big cap similar to a lotion) to Arm & Hammer Sensitive (it has a regular, old style toothpaste cap). It seems to be easier for her to see it as toothpaste. (The old aluminum tubes would be nice to keep the toothpast at the top too...like the good old days.) Keep in mind that something that has been re-designed may look like something entirely different to an elderly person with dementia. Try to keep things as old school as possible...it makes more sense to them.
My grandmother had trouble seeing her food or drink in front of her. I was able to find mugs with handles that had lids with built in permanent straws. The plastic-mug-with-handle-and-lid-with-straw allowed me to keep drinks in front of her all day knowing she could pick it up and sip anytime. The mugs were designed for summer drinks for kids, I found them at Target.
Thanks for starting this thread moecam. Its much appreciated. I know we all have good intentions when we start our roles, but I would say don't be afraid to recognize when it gets to be too much. I wanted to be the hero, but sometimes it was too much. I needed to learn to ask for help and sooner.
Would like to add a tip or two - dad just started wetting bed overnight. He's been wearing top & bottom type pjs which are not only time consuming to help him change after an accident but pants are hard to get down in emergency. We just bought him a man's night shirt to try - let's see how it goes.
When making the bed, layer pad/sheet/pad/sheet and so on so that middle of the night accidents can be cleaned up without entirely stripping and remaking the bed.
Put pads down on any piece of furniture that they may possibly sit on... and then expect them to sit on the one piece of furniture that you missed.
Mom2mom - thanks for your tip on bed sheets and pads. So simple, obvious- sometimes we get so close to the issues to really see clearly. We'll implement this right away!
Thank you I found a lot of these will help today & some ill file away til needed. This is my support group,my hobby, my knowledge base & my source of laughter, thanks for being here
Just discovered great online resource for 'adaptive care' clothing. The Website is: buck and buck.com - here I found men's slacks with a Velcro fly as well as men's shirts with Velcro closures (they look like buttons down the front), very clever.
Thanks to all of you who shared. Some of the tips I've been doing, but did find a few I wasn't. It is really nice knowing I'm not alone in this caregiver role. I'm glad I "stumbled" across this website and forum.
I'm new to care giving. My client is not interested in any suggestions of doing anything. Not music, not coloring, not puzzles, not TV. She does like to walk but we have been to every store near by. She doesn't engage what she does like. Its hard to help. What do I do?
Give it time. Let her get used to you. Keep offering. It may be that genuinely she can't summon any interest in anything any more, or it may be that one day when she gets to know and trust you she'll try something you suggest.
You could also look round her home for clues. Ask tactful (!) questions, draw her into conversation.
Walking's good for her anyway, so even if she doesn't need to go to a particular store try to make up a reason. Or just smell the flowers on the way!
I have had to learn a new language with my wife since her dementia includes aphasia. She ask me once if she should go the power. Translation of power was restroom. No could be yes. She has tried to eat soup with a fork or putting it in a glass and use a straw. Or she may eat her rice with a spatula. She has tried to go out with her bra on the outside of her blouse. She can dress herself but needs supervision on the proper order of clothing. And so many other things I have learned to deal with. Time for her is of no essence and changing the bed at four in the morning with me sleeping in it means nothing to her.
Llama, it was just yesterday my hubs and I had Kenf###tied chicken....the first time in over 4 months, but we were in a big hurry.
U R So funny!
Please just ignore the new poster who unjustly criticized you. We've got your back. imo.
Put pads down on any piece of furniture that they may possibly sit on... and then expect them to sit on the one piece of furniture that you missed.
We'll implement this right away!
Website is: buck and buck.com - here I found men's slacks with a Velcro fly as well as men's shirts with Velcro closures (they look like buttons down the front), very clever.
You could also look round her home for clues. Ask tactful (!) questions, draw her into conversation.
Walking's good for her anyway, so even if she doesn't need to go to a particular store try to make up a reason. Or just smell the flowers on the way!
Keep walking! That is a good thing.
Can you stop at a coffeeshop for a cup of tea?
She ask me once if she should go the power. Translation of power was restroom.
No could be yes. She has tried to eat soup with a fork or putting it in a glass and use a straw. Or she may eat her rice with a spatula. She has tried to go out with her bra on the outside of her blouse.
She can dress herself but needs supervision on the proper order of clothing.
And so many other things I have learned to deal with. Time for her is of no essence and changing the bed at four in the morning with me sleeping in it means nothing to her.
Thank you for all your kind help this year. I'm keeping these tips for my next go around.