Here is a more detailed introduction to me and my situation. I have been caring for my Mother for almost 8 years now. Mom’s dementia has progressed from repeating herself endlessly to a point I wanted to run head first into a wall, to where we are now. She is in good physical shape outside of the dementia and her lack of strength and balance. She still walks but only while holding on to someone’s hands, she is bent so far forward that I fear she will fall on her head any minute. I work, so we have a paid care giver come into the house gets her up and ready for the bus to take her to day care where she spends 4 hours a day during the week. Mom does not miss a trick, she is very alert to what is going on around here. She is easy to get along with and seems happy in any situation she is in, she is not frightened or uneasy at all. The care giver returns to our house and gets Mom off the bus and stays with her until I get home from work. In the evening it’s just Mom and me, and the 16 year old dog! Mom does not speak much and when she does her words are unrelated, so communication is a problem. She will feed herself maybe 60% of the time, we feed her as well. She doesn’t toilet herself or let us know when she needs to go. She likes Mylar Balloons and folding cloth napkins. She can’t get up from the bed or chair, we have to lift her to a standing position. I have NO idea how I will manage her when she can’t walk anymore. At that point I’m not sure I will be able to manage her at home at all, hate that thought! Any tips on that condition would be greatly appreciated!! We have a lift recliner and a hospital type bed for her. At night I put down a rubber mat beside her bed just in case she tries to get up, I think we are beyond that, but you never know. She has started to put inappropriate items in her mouth, crayons, and parts of stuffed toys. I put together a “work board” for her that sits across the arm rests of her chair, which holds all of her toys and stuff to keep her busy.

Take Care,