I'd like to extend a warm welcome to all the new members here and an invitation to all you lurkers out there to join our gang. Please post and let us get to know you! Caregiving should never be a solitary activity-we can all use some support! So come on in, get comfortable, and be prepared to make some new friends!

"Whatever tomorrow brings, I"ll be there-with open arms and open eyes"

Thanks for your input. My sister is still medical proxy and POA so I forwarded your emails to her. We don't always know if what they do or suggest makes the most sense. When my mom was alive she also resided in the VA facility he is in. She was physically deteriorated but still with it most of the time and so we could vocalize her needs. This is harder because we don't know how he feels. I do know that the walking issue was forthcoming, but before they take him off of food or even disconue the walker don't they need our input. It seems sometimes we show up to visit and things have been dramatically changed. thanks Melanie

Hi Melanie-It sounds like they put your father into a wheelchair because they were concerned he might be a danger to himself or others since he was running into people and things. It sounds like there are a lot of questions here as to whether or not there was another way to handle this without taking away his ability to walk while he is still able, and why he was put on a liquid diet. Because of that, I agree with Edyth Ann that checking with the Ombudsman's office to get a clear explanation of why they're doing what they're doing is a great idea, and also checking with Hospice who can give you a much clearer idea of what your father's status is and what to expect in the future. I had Hospice for my mother (though briefly as I called them in later than I could have and wish I would have) and they were so helpful in telling me what was really going on-something I wasn't getting from the medical staff at the NH. I wish you well-you have been , and are still going through, a lot.

"Whatever tomorrow brings, I"ll be there-with open arms and open eyes"

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but I am not so sure, it seems walking is becoming more and more unfamiliar with to him. Do you know if this is indicitive of a certain stage or point that is significant to anything else that may be becoming

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In late stage AD they do loose the ability to walk. It is also at this time they most likely will begin to have difficulty in swallowing. It sounds like your father maybe entering stage 7 of the disease. this is the last stage and is very difficult. He should have his swallowing tested. He may seem like he can be eating but maybe aspirating some of his food or pocketing it. swallowing problems need to be identified so that the diet and feeding methods can be adjusted to avoid aspiration as much as possible. At this point it maybe a good idea to contact the Hospice in your area and see if your father qualifies for them. Even if he does not qualify at this point they can help give you information as to what you may expect to see in the future.

Edyth Ann aka Bubblehead aka Queen Bubble
AOL IM EdythAnn12
edythann@netzero.net

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They don't let him walk anymore so he really seems unhappy. Recenltly they put him on a liquid diet, but we pushed back, he is STILL quite able to eat, so we WON this battle and at least he still gets the pleasure from eating. It is still really hard.

Thanks Melanie

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Melaine,
How are they not letting him walk and why aren't they letting him to walk. There are some very clear laws on how and when they can use restraints both physical and chemical. They also can not change him to a liquid diet without testing his swallowing abilities. You may want to contact the Ombudsmen and see how you can protect his rights and make sure he is getting appropiate care. For instance do you know bed rails are considered a restraint and are very dangers to the patient if used? The Ombudsmen phone number should be posted at the facility he is in.

Edyth Ann aka Bubblehead aka Queen Bubble
AOL IM EdythAnn12
edythann@netzero.net

Thnanks for your reply. My father was walking in a Geri (or Meri) walker you know those cage like things they push around. He LOVED it, he would just cruuse the halls of the unit he lived on. But he started running into people and things so they nixed the walker. He is in a wheel chair now and they say they still walk him, but I am not so sure, it seems walking is becoming more and more unfamiliar with to him. Do you know if this is indicitive of a certain stage or point that is significant to anything else that may be becoming

Cathy -

Yes I am the Seattle sister, but I moved to NY to be with my sister to see my parents through. My mother passed in Oct. I miss the PNW much but know I had to be here now. Thanks for your words about the book, please let me know what you think. It is getting the best reviews. Melanie

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Melanie:
...My father has ALZ. My sister recently wrote a memoir called The House on Beartown Road, A memoir of learning and forgetting, Elizabeth Cohen. QUOTE]

Welcome, Melanie,

It's amazing what a small world we live in! I read a review of your sister's book recently and thought "I'll have to read this sometime". Then today, I just happened to look at this section of the discussion board and saw your self-introduction. So, I went to Amazon, read the sample pages and was sold immediately by your sister's beautiful prose. The reviews on Amazon also mention the author's sister on the West Coast - would that be you?

I hope that all the people you and your sister meet on your eldercare journey will speed your healing.

Melanie, I apologize for starting this thread and then not being here to welcome you to the forum sooner, but I'm very glad you're here.

My sympathies to you on the loss of your mother. My mother died a year ago and it is very much a rough time-I feel for you.

Keep pushing back for your father and congratulations on winning that battle! Why aren't they letting him walk? Is he too unsteady on his feet?

Please keep posting and letting us know how you are and take care of yourself-Melissa

"Whatever tomorrow brings, I"ll be there-with open arms and open eyes"

thanks for your kind welcome. My father is now in late stage AD. We lost my mother last Oct from heart failur and COPD (that was a rough time) and now my father is in a VA hospital in the dementia unit. They don't let him walk anymore so he really seems unhappy. Recenltly they put him on a liquid diet, but we pushed back, he is STILL quite able to eat, so we WON this battle and at least he still gets the pleasure from eating. It is still really hard.

Thanks Melanie

Melanie

Welcome to the forum. I'm glad you found us. I agree that sharing our experiences with AD is very helpful. We feel less alone to know there are thers feeling just as we do.

Tell us a little bit about your dad. What stage is he in currently? How long have you been caring for him?

Vicki

Sugarlips

Edna Mae! Maybe you could give me some direction lessons after you pick me up. (Could you please come pick me up?) I ran out of gas somewhere around the 856th corner. I've been waiting for the auto club to bring me some gas for the last two hours. It's getting cold and I'm hungry.

Doesn't it feel liberating to do something that you have never done before? Congratulations on your solo trip!

May the frog have mercy on my soul.
Power to the puppets and peace to all people.

Vera, you are hopeless and have the most wonderful sense of humor.You are aa amazing person with so much good humor.Keep it my friend.It is something that so few have and appreciate. By the way, I drove to mysons has for the grandchildrens birthday.All by myself and never did it before.I did not get lost.One of my greatest fears.It felt so good to take the initive and just do it.

Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keeping what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness blowing the rest away.

Today is supposed to be my third day of classes. I am hopelessly lost. I've driven around so many corners and I still can't find the IDC. Don't worry Im going to keep trying. Sooner or later there won't be anymore corners or Howard will run out of gas. This is so important to me, I just want to learn direction.
I have tried to write L & R on my shoes but, that doesn't neccesarily work if you put your shoes on the wrong feet. Thanks for the advice though!

May the frog have mercy on my soul.
Power to the puppets and peace to all people.

Mikey, HMMMMMM I think that I represent that remark........ once the squirrel crack this nut open, the entire species will have a new found respect for the unsalted ones!

May the frog have mercy on my soul.
Power to the puppets and peace to all people.

good morning all:

Gypsy I have been around for a long time and I am still wonder whether it is true or False. I,m know as what you call a square, so that is to be expected. I know I always enjoy veeeerra,s trips. I think maybe that is what I will have to do, maybe the only way.

Have a good day, Jim had one of his nights when he talked until 3AM. Will let him sleep a litttle longer.

Bye Eleanor
Cloud & sun maybe 65F

VEEERRRAAA !!!!

I had to get a safety belt for my computer chair. I just about fell out of it when I started reading these posts. I wouldn't get too near any squirrels if I were you.

When we were very young, my mother put R and L on my younger sisters shoes with bright red finger nail polish so she could tell which was which.
Might work........

^^^ mikey ^^^

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Originally posted by veeerrraaa:
Should I try Dominoes? They deliver within 1/2 hour or your pizza's free or something to that effect. So they should get me to the IDC school on time tomorrow.

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Hi-I just had to look up what IDC school was-dah I thought maybe it was IDentity Cricis School. Like your Dominoes idea-at least you can eat if you get lost. Hope everyone is having a sunny Saturday. We are having a bit of a heat wave for here-Yesterday was officially 32(broke the old record.) today it is supposed to go to 30 C.As long as the wind keeps blowing we are ok. No AC as we don't usually need it.Mike is just having a nap so should get him up and go outside before it gets too hot. Good luck with IDC and send some pizza to all those new members that must think we are totally nuts by now.
Gypsy

Should I try Dominoes? They deliver within 1/2 hour or your pizza's free or something to that effect. So they should get me to the IDC school on time tomorrow.

vEEERA, I have the answer for you.Try pick up and delivery service.They will pick you up and take you where you want to go.That way you will be there on time and get home.

Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keeping what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness blowing the rest away.