..so I am Learning

Inden Mom

Good Evening to All:

I've been on this forum a little over a year and although I do not contribute much, I do read everyone's posts and I've taken lots of tips and learning as I travel this challenging road. Long story short, my DH, now at age 62, has been diagnosed EOAD end of 2021. At that time, he was placed as being in Stage 5 and now possibly entering Stage 6.

It has been and will continue to be a challenging world for me as his sole caretaker and I must confess that I wasn't, I am not and I will probably never be the best caretaker but I am only human and I try my best by reading blogs, tips, watching Teepa Snow's videos to be a better caretaker.

However, on a brighter note, here are a couple of tips that I practice at home and always works.

*I no longer say to my husband "time to take your meds", rather I would say, "time to take your vitamins" - several times when I say "meds", he will refuse to take them n say nothing's wrong with him, but since I started using the word "vitamins", he immediately takes them

*Having his favorite snacks handy - my husband loves snickers candy bar and ice cream.. If I see that a situation is about to trigger his anxiety or stir up his mood, I immediately offer a snicker bar or an ice cream bar and again, never fails, he is immediately in his happy place

*Same thing with music - I would play his favorite group -Bee Gees on youtube and he immediately starts smiling and feeling joyful

*I used to remind him every night that it's time to get into PJs for bed. If I don't remind him, he will go to bed in his jeans and belt, etc. However, I've learned to just let it go (after couple of angry outbursts of being reminded). It works. He will be ready to go to bed and then will get up on his own to change into PJs without me reminding him.

I am still learning how to address/adjust to new situations/behavior, but for now, the tips I'm sharing definitely works and hope it'll work for you.

Any other tips are absolutely welcome!

towhee

Seemingly small things can make such a difference in our lives😊

Ed1937

Good tips are always welcome here. Thanks!

jfkoc

Great solutions...will share!

jfkoc

Jgirl57

Great tips! There are many new members here and every bit helps ! I learned about Teepa Snow and Tam Cummings from this forum and so grateful for the info. Keep posting !

eaglemom

Those are some get tips. Many of us have been in the caretaker role for quite sometime. Personally, I know I learn, or relearn something new each day. I try to always learn from my mistakes.

eagle

tigersmom

Thanks for posting this, Inden Mom. These are great tips! You made me smile because my DH loves the BeeGees, too. They always play them for him at his day program.