As I have mentioned our son uses a wheelchair, so Christmas was the first time he went to visit his grandfather in the home. We got to the dementia/alzheimer unit and dad was still in the dining area, he smiled when he saw me, but when he saw our son he just broke down for about a minute.He recognized my hubby right away, and was glad to see him. I think the biggest burst of my dads dreams was when our son became disabled. He loves him and kept reaching out to pat his hand and telling him how much he looks like his dad.
Then we gave him his presents, the sweat pants and shirt were okay, my blanket I made him he really liked, but when I took out the memory book I made (I printed photos with frames, that I took from a family album, and put into a small photo album) he was happy until he saw the photo I put on the front of the book. Him and my mom on their 50th anniversary framed in gold. He broke down again, I felt sorta bad, but then he so lovingly looked at it and then the photos of him and my mom and me as an infant that I had found in the family album, he was just pleased as heck. When I went to put this stuff in his room, two of the aides were there and they loved the blanket idea, especially since I machine embroidred his name all over the binding, and then they saw the memory book. They could not get over how he looked in 1989 and then on the back cover I had the 58 anniversary picture of them in 1998, one month before my mom died, they said he still looked so handsome and when they saw the inside ones of him during WWII they just loved it. Dad also got his really favorite treat, "lil debbie" brownies, he loves those things, even the nurses said they are glad I bring them, he will eat them and drink his health shake like he is supposed to. Well I hope you all had a happy Christmas. Talk with you all later.

Jeannine

What a wonderful Christmas!!!! Thanks for sharing.

Dear Jeannine:
Your treatment of your dad is indeed wonderful and a good example for others. Thanks for sharing your Christmas experience. It will be a good example for others as to how they can make their loved one feel loved and still important. Pictures and reminders of good things in the past are things Alzheimer's patients can still relate to and that can bring some joy into their dreary life.
Keep up the good work and God bless.
Franklin

Jeannine,

You should be so proud of yourself for bring so much joy to your Dad on Christmas. What a wonderful day he had. The pictrues he can look at again and again.



Vicki

Good Morning Jeannie:

What a nice Christmas Visit you had with your Dad I,m glad he enjoyed all the gifts. Loved the Blanket and the Book. Pictures bring back such great memories and he can share them with the staff. It is always great to look back. Was great that your son was able to go such good memories for you Jeannie

Must go Take Care Eleanor

You have a good day

[ December 27, 2001: Message edited by: Eleanor ]

Oh, Jeannine, it sounds like you all had a WONDERFUL Christmas with your Dad!!!! Thank you so much for sharing. I am so happy for you (and what great gifts!)

Janie