Sharing the joys...

darcytg

Beginning to pack away holiday decoration today.

My plan...small chunks at a time.

I left the room and returned a few moments later where my LO was happily decorating (with the items Id just taken down). Her joy at getting the favorite pieces out and placing them around the room and laughing at the silly ones melted my heart.

So grateful to walk with her even a short way. I have immense respect and awe for those here who walk beside PWD. LOVE matters.

Anyone want to share their small unexpected joys?

Emily 123

My brother and his family are coming in tomorrow. He is her favorite, and so YES! She will take a shower, she will let me help her! Victory!

darcytg

Glad you have an uplifting moment, Emily.

darcytg

Crying with ??? Can't seem to name the emotion.

Just got off the phone with my LO's niece in ME. She has been trying to get my LO up there near family for 2 years.

My LO's POA thinks it's a great idea.

Conference call tomorrow to begin finding our way. For the first time since being here, I feel my gut say this is the right way.

Having her near family (who will visit!!) And who have lots of experience with AD (5 siblings of 10) seems heartening in an ongoing dis heartening circumstance.

Am I just trying to make myself feel better?

mommyandme (m&m)

My brother and I tried to get my mom to agree to move from her home to my state for about two years. Long distance caregiving is very difficult to manage. She was cognitive enough to understand and finally agreed willingly with the condition that we had to bring two of her cats and we ‘d get a new ortho doc. She had no one living near her and a move here means she’d be around most of her grandchildren and all the great grandchildren. I was very excited and the move went very well. It was the absolute right decision.

I must say, we made more efforts than we needed to as far as moving her furnishings, clothes etc…. from her three bedroom to the three bedroom here. We tried to make it seamless which I guess worked. Yet, she barely noticed any of the familiar things and never even went into the kitchen for 2.5 years. In the beginning, she was comfortable in the space for the most part. I think a lot of dementia patients become uncomfortable with things as the disease progresses, my moms no different. “They’re not happy anywhere”, as some might say. Nevertheless, after she passed it was like cleaning out her home that she’d lived in for 50 years. We threw so much away before the move so it’s incredible how much I still had to go through.

The move was a benefit for all of us, my mom, my brother and I. It was right as I imagine it will be for you and your family too. Unfortunately, dementia doesn’t allow the happinesses to endure for lots of things. No matter, I’m obviously on Team Move.

darcytg

Thank you mommy&me,

The entire opportunity to be with my LO in this very vulnerable and turbulent time ( which I realize is nothing in comparison to what lies ahed for her) is the most challenging of my life.

Her sibs and nieces and nephews have walked this road with each other and their family memebers that have already died of AD for over a decade now.

Grateful for all of you here.

Appreciate the responses and your experiences being shared.

We aren't alone.

darcytg

My Lo will go to a MC place, not to a relative's home.

And she will be visited often, in all stages of this disease, by multiple family Members.

mommyandme (m&m)

IMO, whether our LOs live at home or a facility, being in close proximity is beneficial to all for so many reasons. I hope for a peaceful move for you and yours.