Hello & thank you . I'm JULZ.
I am the sole caregiver & POA for my 86 yr old Mom who has frontaltempral dementia , congestive heart failure , fluid in her lungs as well as inoperable breast cancer in both breasts as well as behind her bladder, & glaucoma.& arthritis
It has been quite the journey over the past two years starting with the Alzheimer's.
Some days it is very overwhelming for me.
Mom is a happy person ( which I'm very thankful for). We have always had a very good relationship. Me being the oldest of 5. Mom trusts me in everything.
Having the Alzheimer's seems to have been a bit of a blessing with all else she is going through because she doesn't experience the pain most would have Except for the arthritis in her knee.
It is extremely difficult to watch Mom going from a independent active woman to the attitudes etc of a four yr old.
Someone was asking about music. I do find that putting on soft background music helps Mom especially during early evening " sundowning" time. Being able to see outside helps as well. I have her lazy boy placed in the front window so she can watch the street activities & can comment on them.
I always tell Mom the truth about what is going on & why we are going places. But like a child. If she drops it so do I. It was difficult during the move to my home from hers but she did realize it was time. Something that helped then was her Alzheimer's Doctor told her that she was going from a family of one to a family of three & that she was very lucky to have myself & my husband to include her in our home. Mom refers to that from the dr often.
One thing I have been trying to do daily is find humour in life for her. Getting her to laugh at simple sayings , visuals etc. Even when I feel like crying I strive to bring her laughter. Laughter is good for her sense of being as well as mind.
Just typing this out has made me realized I can do this. Thanks for the airing. Lol