And this is why I don’t gamble!

Saya_G

Trying to do good, I called my mother and sister’s cable company! (Mom is diagnosed, and is between moderate to severe; suspect sis has dementia too - not sure what stage, have appointment coming up.)

I negotiated a new receiver with many more options than their old receiver (knowing that they would probably not use the options themselves - but knowing I could set them up for them, so they’d still benefit from the upgrade). I also got them an add on program package free of charge (which included a channel that they’ve watched at my house and enjoyed), AND, a lower monthly payment to boot! 

Cable guy came out, set it all up. Sis seemed skeptical about the change, but I showed her how to use basic functions on the remote, so she was initially okay with the change.

Two hours later, their lawn guy mowed their lawn. Cable goes out. They call me. I go back over, called cable company - they couldn’t fix it. Have to send a tech! Ugh!

Cable company was able to get us an appointment the next day! Great! Just one day of them complaining about not having a tv! 

Cable guy comes, problem was the lawn guy’s weed eater cut the cable! So nothing to do with the upgrade! Still, the ladies are now skeptical. 

I go home, couple hours pass. They call - can’t find “Little House” they always watch “Little House” “why can’t they find it?” I say, maybe it’s not on right now. Nope, they says, it’s almost always on. I search my cable programming (we use the same provider)  - “Dr Quinn” is now scheduled when “Little House” used to be scheduled. They don’t like Dr. Quinn. They want the old receiver back so they can get their regular shows back.

I explain that the receiver - the old one or the new one - has nothing to do with program scheduling. They aren’t buying it! They are now sure that I’ve messed up their TV programs by having the new receiver set up.

I call cable company, ask if they had changed the programming. Gal looked, she couldn’t find “Little House” either! Finally admits that there must have been some scheduling changes by the Hallmark channel folks! Sure enough! Hallmark has been progressively changing their programming over the past few weeks ( I googled it).

They are both frustrated and upset with me - no matter what I say, they still think the box change is the problem! Ugh!

So what are the odds that the lawn guy would clip the cable; followed with their favorite channel implement program changes ALL on the same weekend that they get their new receiver! 

Now you know why I’m not a gambler - I just can’t win for losing!

Saya_G

Stuck in the middle

I hear you.  I could get better TV than we have, for less money, but I'm not changing a thing if I can help it.

Our clothes dryer quit in December.  It was so old that I did not deem it worth repairing, so I bought a new one.  My wife, who was doing just fine with the old one, had a very difficult time learning to operate the new one, which has a stinking computer in it instead of mechanical timers and thermostats.  Starting the dryer is a 3-step process, and that is at the edge of her ability to cope with a series of instructions.  I had to start it for her more times than not for three months, and sometimes still do.  Since laundry is about the only household chore she still does independently, this was very frustrating for her.  I wish I had at least attempted to repair the old one.

harshedbuzz

No good deed goes unpunished.

True story.

A dear friend merged households when it became obvious her feisty and formerly independent 91 year old mom could no longer live alone because of dementia. Mom has moved near her daughter as a recent widow 20 years prior and lived around the corner. Each day she would get up, shower, have breakfast and complete whatever housekeeping or garden chores needed doing before heading to her daughter's house where she tidied up, ran a few loads of laundry, started dinner and watched the grands until my friend got home from work. 

When my friend replaced her range early on in the old house, her mom really struggled to adapt to the minor upgrade. By the time they planned the new kitchen in the house they built to have room for mom, she was no longer doing much more than making a salad or sandwich so the new appliances weren't an issue. But she did like to do at least her own laundry, so my friend moved her older set and went as far to have the formerly electric dryer redone to run on natural gas which cost her well in excess of what a fancy new one would have. By the time of the move, grandmom no longer had any interest in the task and didn't recognize the set from the old house. 

“Change is never fine. They say it is but…it’s not.” - Sheldon Cooper.

LevisHouse

Yesterday was another stressful day for me as a long-distance caregiver, so I decided to come here for a little guidance and reassurance. Sure enough I got it! I have no advice but I wanted to tell you that these posts lifted my spirits for no other reason than knowing that I'm not alone and that this scenario is so common. My aunt can't handle the slightest change - she desperately needs a new washing machine but will not agree to it, so we limp along with the old one...

Thanks for providing a little levity and connection.

Iris L.

My neuropsychologist told me the answer.  The issue is that the PWD CANNOT LEARN NEW THINGS.  That's it.  

Iris L.

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