What has changed in a year and a half

LadyTexan

Greetings all.

In September 2023, I moved both my parents into my home. My dear mom has Alzheimer's. My dear dad has mild cognitive impairment. They are 85 and 87 respectively. For more background, see the discussion at https://alzconnected.org/discussion/64542/moving-my-folks-into-my-house#latest

btw - I copied and pasted the link to the prior discussion on this forum….maybe it works. maybe it doesn't. moving my folks into my house

In the year and a half since they've lived with me:

My DM's disease has progressed.

• She can no longer attend her day program 3 days a week.
• She uses a walker to navigate the home.
• She is currently on Home Health Care provided by the local medical center.
• She will be reassessed by the physical therapist today.
• Her short term memory is short.
• She often asks the same questions repeatedly.

My DD is displaying more frequent signs of mental decline.

• His executive function is not as keen as it was 2 years ago.
• His most recent SLUMS score was 24 out of 30.
• DD is a retired engineer. His focus remains solving the disease, instead of dealing with the condition we are in.

Our current care team has included additional private caregivers:

• Me
• My Dad
• Private caregivers
  • MWF 8-3:30 pm
  • Tues and Thus 8-7:30 pm
  • Saturday 8-1 pm

My goals:

• Survive caregiving
• keep my folks and myself clean, safe and calm….happy would be nice, but I have accepted that happy is a bonus, not a requirement
• maintain boundaries to keep me calm which include daily exercise and a hobby and a volunteer activity and time with my best buddy Hap (my dog)

Overall, our set-up is very good. But it is still stressful. This is a difficult, chaotic and unpredictable journey. I still HATE THIS DISEASE.

Blessings to you all.

Lady Texan

Quilting brings calm

LT- so good to hear from you. I’m so sorry though that you are having to deal with this double duty after going through it with your spouse. I’m glad you are using caregivers this time. I don’t think I could do it again so soon after my parents - and they were in an AL.

SusanB-dil

Hi LadyT - agree - good to hear from you, but dang… definitely have your hands full. Safe and calm is good. Taking care of yourself is a must.

yeah - i HATE 'this'!!

harshedbuzz

@LadyTexan

I think of you and your situation often. Thanks for checking in although I wish the news was better. Give good old Hap some scritches from me.

HB