Medication Changes

Okay, well the neurologist and pharmacist have reached an agreement about Steve’s medications and have let us know of the medication changes. Steve is to go off his anti-depressant. When he is off of it for two weeks, he starts .5mg of azilect. The person I spoke to was unclear about what we’re supposed to do after two weeks on azilect. The person I spoke with earlier said that if Steve tolerates it...

Constant Changes and Confusion

I had to get this post in to vent and I’m sorry I haven’t had the time to respond to emails and others posts but please bear with me until my busy season is over in a few weeks. Everything was all settled with Mom. I was supposed to bring her home next weekend but now that’s not the case. I spoke to the social worker at the rehab and they won’t release her on the weekend. With my job and the...

Birthday Baby Blessings and EMTs

Last Sunday was my birthday. And the occasion of baby blessings for three of my great nieces—same place and time. And a family gathering afterward. I think it is safe to say that it was a happy occasion for all. Of course, there was a snag. Just before we headed out to the church, I saw one of the cats—one of my brother’s cats, who has been displaying emotional distress—sitting on the Lifeline phone. It...

An Insight About Those Who Help You

PHI, an organization which works to strengthen the U.S.’s long-term care direct-care workforce, released an analysis (pdf) of the direct-care workforce. The direct-care workforce are those individuals who help you provide care to your care, in your home, in your caree’s home or in the nursing home. They are the home health aides you hire to provide and the certified nursing assistants the nursing home...

Med Change or No Med Change? That Seems to be the Question

Steve’s new neurologist wants to put Steve on azilect.  They called me today and let me know the pharmacy had informed them of a dangerous drug interaction, so they needed to change one of Steve’s antidepressant.  Tonight the Target pharmacy called and said the new antidepressant will still interact with the azilect.  They are faxing that information to the doctor’s office and not filling the...

Mom Noticed that I’m Exhausted

I left Mom with her caregiver today for the first time since the UTI and came home (right next door) to take a nap. When I came back, Mom looked at me and said, “Honey, you look so tired. What’s wrong?” I think that’s progress. She’s noticing me, and caring about my exhaustion (over two weeks now without good sleep). She had a slightly better day yesterday, but hallucinated and yelled...

What I Lost in the Move

As you know, Caregiving.com moved to a new home yesterday. It seemed all went okay… Until Karen emailed me last night to let me know the online support groups weren’t working. OOHHHHH!! I thought I could leave the support groups behind and they would be okay. My bad. So… then I thought: I bet we can create a better option for you to support and connect with each other. In the process of finding...

My Life

For the last week, I’ve had “Write blog” on my to do list.  Yesterday I sat down and started typing it, stopped to fix dinner, and by the time I had time to return to the computer, three hours had passed and I was exhausted, so I went to bed.  And that’s what my life is like on a daily basis.  It’s busy, frequently packed from one end to the other with items that move from one...

Poll: Does Your Caree Have Balance Issues?

In this week’s, poll, sponsored by Caregiving.com and eCareDiary.com, we ask: Does your caree have balance issues? Please vote and then share in our comments section below. Does Your Caree Have Balance Issues?survey...

The Rollercoaster of Dementia

After bringing Mom home from the hospital on Sunday, Mom seemed to be doing well. Very little confusion or agitation. As I posted on Monday, we had a great morning. Mom wanted to get up and out of bed after being bedridden for four days. We got her showered and dressed, and her spirits were good, memory doing well. Right after I got her under the hair dryer, that changed drastically. She got very panicky, and...

Letting Go of What Was to Create What Can Be

This morning on Your Caregiving Journey, Kim Atchley, coauthor of “When Your Aging Parent Needs Care: Practical Help for this Season of Life,” shared her story of forgiveness–forgiving her mom, who was an alcoholic. You can listen to our show via the player below. This is our second show in our series on forgiveness. You’ll love listening to Kim tell her story because her story is truly...

Lighting a Furnace

rattle rattle rattle! rattle rattle rattle! Ever hear the sound of a crinkling plastic bag? rattle rattle rattle! Tired from a wonderfully exhausting life moment Hubby and I went to bed early. Snuggled under covers and cozy I fell into a sleep pattern. I can’t say drifted, because I don’t drift. Within 5 mins of head touching pillow, I can be asleep. Anything beyond 5 mins and I think I have...

I Still Care About You

Greetings to my friends at caregiving.com! As most of you know I blogged at caregiving.com until the death of my husband on January 2, 2011. Even though I am not actively blogging at his site anymore I read your blog posts often, and I still care about you all. You probably have noticed that I also comment often on your blog posts. I still identify with your struggles. I truly understand the grief attached to...

What to Wear to a Hospice Intake

This afternoon we met with a nurse from hospice to initiate admission and to receive information about services. Nelson decidedly signed all forms presented. Our health care experience has radically shifted in that for the most part we will be seen in our home instead of a medical facility. At times this process feels surreal and our conversations have entered new territory. It’s comforting to know that we have a...

Unexpected Changes

Yesterday afternoon it was 50 degrees and rainy, showing bits of green grass. (: Just a bit further into the afternoon…a major snowstorm, our worst of the winter. We lost a 40 foot pine tree and our power! This morning, I was comparing the storm to some of the storms that have been happening inside the house with my mother. Her dementia continues to blatantly show itself and the changes, for me, have been...

New PERS?

We had an interesting weekend. During the weekend our Lifeline phone was ruined. I need to get a replacement ASAP. However, at nearly $50/month, this service is getting quite pricey. Since I am contemplating retirement and a reduced income, I wonder if there are any other reliable systems that any of you could recommend? I would appreciate any and all input.

Another Life Event

Hubby and I have been anxiously awaiting the birth of our baby’s baby! Mr Aiden Connor was born at 4:09 AM March 7. 22″ long and weighed in at 9 lb 9.6 oz!!! I don’t know if I can stop smiling And you may be thinking, awww, first grandbaby? Nope! #6!! The feeling never gets old! Hubby and I had been talking about baby’s arrival for a while. We made plans on going to be there. It’s...

She’s Back!

We brought Mom home yesterday, early afternoon. She had been completely immobile in the hospital, and had been incontinent. I wrote earlier this week about the hallucinations and agitation. She was, to put it mildly, not doing well at all. The doctor said that it may or may not be permanent. There was almost no confusion yesterday afternoon. I did keep her in bed, which I had moved into the living room because I...

Decisions

There are days I just don’t want to decide what’s for dinner. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t because I can’t make a decision. I’m actually very good at making decisions and do so all the time regarding Robert, regarding my home and family and at my Day Job. I do my research, weigh the options and have been known to write a “pro/con list” a time or two. I can make a quick, reasoned decision if the...

The Unit Known as Shavis?

I’ll do an update about the hospital stay soon. To make a long story short (because I have to go bring Mom home from the hospital this morning), she is being released. The infection is clearing, and responding well to the antibiotics. However, the doctor said that an infection this severe may have caused Mom’s mild dementia to go to advanced dementia just this quickly. She didn’t hallucinate last...

What Will You Always Keep?

Yesterday, on Your Caregiving Journey, Judith joined me talk about her love story with Nelson and the difficult news they heard last week. You can listen to our show via the player below. During our discussion, Judith shared how she stays healthy. She also said she knows that she may have to adjust some the of the activities as Nelson’s care needs increase. Her exception? Yoga. So, I’d love to know:...

The Stained Glass Window

Nelson has been referred to hospice and today everything that I love about our home has become more special, brilliant, intense. Our home was built in 1907 and this stained glass window is located on the landing of the stairs which lead to the upper level of our sanctuary. Every morning and evening, and many times during the day, as we walk up or down the stairs, it greets us with its beauty and colorful splendor....