| My Dad |
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| Thursday, 26 February 2009 | |
 My Dad who is now nearly 91 moved in to live with me early in December 2008. Now I knew that Dad had some problems just did not realize how far along he was. Ten years ago we didn't really say to much about Alzheimer Disease. A lot of what we as his kids just put off as Dad getting old and cantacourous was really much more. The first couple of months I did not have any help in the house with Dad and trying to figure out what all was really going on. I have worked in healthcare for 30 years, but I was the head of maintenance not a caregiver, so I have been exposed to AD patients or residents but not to provide daily cares. This is new to me. Dad is moving into step six of AD. Luckily he has not gotten combative but I also have learned when to just back off, and that is why he has a beard now. Shaving, or getting wet is not something he likes. Everythlng is a "mess". To much for him to deal with. Dad is a retired Pastor witha Doctorate in Theology and he cannot harldy finish a sentence now. I had Dad on a pedestal a good part of my life and now I have to clean his bottom. I do now have sitters for him through the day so I can work. Tried to take him with me on some jobs but is quite nearve wracking. I worry about him. He does at times seem happy to just sit in my truck. He is now getting up after a couple of hours of sleep and ready for a new day, as I am getting into bed. so far by at lest midnight he is down for the rest of the night most of the time. He is not interested in much of anything. He will watch some TV especially anything with short zingers or a lot of color and movement. He doesn't really know what is going on but does occupy his time.His eyes are getting worse especially in the dark, so cannot go out much at night for fear of tripping and falling. He wont carry a cane for balance.he has always been an independent person. I am doing well but does get very stressful at times. |
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