Thanks for the suggestion re: thickening juice and so on. Tomorrow the phonoaudiologist should come to check on mum’s swallowing – how bad it is and so on.
Today I’m just rambling…I was looking at mum today and she is much weaker than a year ago. Even more confused. Sometimes she seems to have lost her capacity to talk, she just says sounds, that seem to be like syllables, but make no sense. She can’t walk anymore. She’s drowsy most of the day. Still, we get her to eat and drink. We don’t let her sleep and sleep as it means she doesn’t get the liquids she needs. So I stir the helpers up and tell them to wake her up and get her going. When I come home I always asked what she’s drunk, how did she eat and so on. She still likes her desserts and never refuses one.
My daughter said to me yesterday or the day before, “It’s sad watching grandma fade away” and it is indeed! And that’s what she’s doing – fading away. She still occasionally gets irritated with people helping her and she likes to go to the square where there are trees, benches and people, and sit there and watch what is going on. I don’t let myself think too much about what mum was like a number of years ago and how she is now. It’s such a contrast and saddens me that anyone should have to go through this.
And the days go by, with us caring for her, making her desserts, watching how often she goes to the bathroom, getting happy when she finally goes, making sure no bedsores are appearing, watching her fluid intake etc. etc. It’s what we can do for her now.
Dilys,
I’m sorry that your mom is not doing well. Thank you for the reminder of not making comparisons, because it is sad…it truly is. At any point prior to now, was your mother having speech therapy? I was wondering if that would help with word find. Some days my mother struggles so bad with her communication that she remains quiet. It is interesting though, because she talks in her sleep very well…? Take Care and I so admire how you are able to monitor your mother in so many areas. Truly an example to me.
Hi Dilys–You do all for her that you mention plus love her with all your heart. That’s absolutely lovely! Thanks for the update. Can you post a picture of the square? It would be fun to see it.
Always glad to hear from you.