An Alzheimer’s Caregiver Blog http://www.knowitalz.com Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:33:23 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.knowitalz.com/community/alzheimer-s/getting-younger-every-day.html Dad went to get a haircut today, since today is Tuesday and Tuesday is haircut day. Remember this? When he walked in the door, I complimented his new cut and told him that he looked ten years younger. Can I go back and get another one tomorrow? He asked with a grin. If only it were that easy! Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:49:33 +0100 http://www.knowitalz.com/community/alzheimer-s/only-272-shopping-days-left.html I have a friend of mine helping me care for Dad while I am working my full time job during the week. Dodie is forty-ish, blond, very pretty, outgoing, and she just loves Dad. What a perfect match! When he is in the shower (2 hours) Dodie helps me with my paying job, helping me address a thank you note to many of my stage and studio lighting customers. I like to thank them for their business, since this is such a tough economy. She asked me if I had a date in mind that I would like to have them mailed out by. I wanted to send them out before Christmas, so there's no real at this point.. I replied. It is before Christmas. My Dad said casually. So I guess I am 9 months early instead of 3 months late. I like the way he thinks! Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:15:46 +0100 http://www.knowitalz.com/community/caregiver/an-ounce-of-prevention-a-pound-of-cure.html Every day, I record my Dad's weight on his pill sheet. Since he has congestive heart failure, we have to keep a close tab on his water retention. If he gains more than a couple of pounds a day, it prompts me to check for the swollen ankles that are a symptom of CHF. Yesterday, I put his pills in front of him (13) and told him I needed to take his weight and he needed to take his pills. Can you weigh me first? He asked. That looks like a pound of pills. Good thinking, Dad! Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:09:27 +0100 http://www.knowitalz.com/community/dementia/tit-for-tat.html Dad had a small heat stroke this weekend (don't you wish you lived in NC where the weather is so warm in February) and had to make a quick trip to the emergency room. When the ambulance came, there was a cute female EMS worker that was in the back, and I rode up front. She was checking his heart, pulse, breathing, etc and had to remove his shirt. He began to flirt with her, mentioning that she was so pretty, he did not mind riding all the way to the hospital with her. When she removed his shirt, he jokingly asked if she would do the same. He must be fine. I said. If he is chasing a pretty girl, he must be back to normal. Dad is still a ladies man, even in an ambulance! Thu, 25 Feb 2010 05:56:42 +0100 http://www.knowitalz.com/community/dementia/tit-for-tat-2.html Dad had a small heat stroke this weekend (don't you wish you lived in NC where the weather is so warm in February) and had to make a quick trip to the emergency room. When the ambulance came, there was a cute female EMS worker that was in the back, and I rode up front. She was checking his heart, pulse, breathing, etc and had to remove his shirt. He began to flirt with her, mentioning that she was so pretty, he did not mind riding all the way to the hospital with her. When she removed his shirt, he jokingly asked if she would do the same. He must be fine. I said. If he is chasing a pretty girl, he must be back to normal. Dad is still a ladies man, even in an ambulance! Thu, 25 Feb 2010 05:56:40 +0100