Head's up to you caregivers!

Iris L.

I often read that caregivers put up calendars so their LOs with dementia can be prepared for appointments and events. I don't have Alzheimer's Disease but my memory and cognition are very bad and I want to tell you my experience.

This afternoon I received a voice-mail message. Apparently, I had missed my medical appointment. I was shocked and frustrated! Every night I check my wall calendar for the next day's events. But last night, for some unknown reason, my eyes did not see today's appointment, even though it was right there, outlined in orange, which is my signal to myself that I have an outside appointment. When I woke up this morning I did not check the calendar for today's events, so I missed it twice!

What does this mean? For me, I will have to add my appointments to my cell phone calendar so I will have an additional reminder for each appointment. For you caregivers, I want you to understand that just because an event is listed on a calendar, doesn't mean it will be remembered.

Iris

jfkoc

Iris....I leave several post-its around.

HollyBerry

This must be so frustrating for you! "Redundant systems" have saved us several times, when I was caregiver for my mom and now my partner. Wall calendar plus phone calendar plus phone alarm -- it seems like a lot of steps, but a phone or google calendar entry can be set up to give you reminders one day, one hour, ten minutes, etc before the event. People without memory issues rely on these tools, too!

Iris L.

Thank you jfkoc and HollyBerry! I used to use lots of post-its and was happy to no longer need them, but it seems that I will need them again. Also, "redundant systems" will have to become a part of my life.

I fear I am slipping down a slippery slope. Today I was talking to a nurse on the telephone about an upcoming appointment and was reviewing my medications. I told her I was taking Provigil, when I am not taking Provigil. Fortunately, she caught the error because it was not on the list that the doctor had sent over. I have no idea why Provigil jumped into my mind. I'm getting worse and this isn't good at all.

Jgirl57

Thank you Iris always for your thoughtful posts . I often wonder since I am my HWD’s caretaker, how I would manage on my own if I develop problems in the future. I am in awe of your willingness to help and share your struggles. Much love to you .(We currently use a big wall calendar and sometimes it is overwhelming . I also try and jot down on the calendar tasks we did that day sort of like a diary.)

GothicGremlin

I feel you, Iris. Keeping track of everything is a big deal.

For myself, I'm a 'I live by my list' kind of person (I've done this since high school). Every day I have a new list. If things haven't gotten done from the day before, I add them to today's list. Important things get a box around them.

Then there's the phone calendar and the laptop calendar.

So yeah, 'redundant systems'. 🙂