What PWDs need

Iris L.

I was reminded today of my interaction with a geriatric care manager whom I had contacted to help me.  At the time, I was in bad shape and did not know or how to verbalize my own care needs.  I was relying on the gcm to make suggestions and how to implement them.  She came to my home one day with a bag of groceries and offered to make me a home cooked meal.  I was not in need of a home cooked meal, at the time, I was doing my own cooking.  What I needed was help in managing my bills and my medical appointments and my meds.  For some reason, she allowed sentimentality to overcome her professional work.

I see this frequently in family members of PWDs who live alone.  The family member seeks advice on a simple tv remote control or a smart phone or a pill minder or something like that.  They do not comprehend that their LO needs more than a simple tool.  PWDs cannot manage regular tools because their brain is compromised.  What they need is a thorough evaluation of their entire living situation, and then a determination of what to do next.  There is a lot that needs to be done next, not just supplying simplified tools or a home cooked meal.

I am posting this to say, don't just look at a snippet of your PWD's life.  Your PWD is ALREADY on a SLIPPERY SLOPE that goes in one direction.  Even though I don't have AD, I have been and still am on that slippery slope.  I needed help before and things are worse now, much worse.  But I cannot count on a professional to help me because I am not lacking food.  I don't have any trouble getting food.  I don't  want to go down that road again!

Fortunately, over the years, and most recently, I have been doing what I advise new members, which is to learn from the experienced members what the needs are and what to do.  I am learning for myself and slowly implementing changes.  Care needs determine actions--this is what I have learned--this is most important!   Also, plan for the worst days, not the better days.

Iris

SusanB-dil

precisely.  ((hugs)) Iris...