On Friday, we placed my father in a nursing home. It had been a long time coming and my mother, a frail woman, was quickly becoming unable to care for his needs at home. Approximately three years ago, after 
a car accident, my father was eventually diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, a cruel disease which robs the mind of many of the brain’s functions. Since then, his short term memory has been reduced to no short term memory at all and many of the day to day functions that my Dad had been unable to carry out, my mother has had to pick up the slack.
So, since Wednesday, we had to prepare my father for the inevitable and on Friday the difficult task was done. Since then, my mother has been an emotional wreck and my father has been trying many creative techniques to have us return and bring him home. Needless to say, it has been an exhausting and trying weekend which, no doubt should spill into the entire next week and beyond.
So, if I seem distracted and out of sorts with my blogging, this is why. I have missed blogging over this past month and maybe getting back to it will be a form of therapy for me… Who knows!
For those who are unfamiliar with Alzheimer’s, check out the following web sites for more information.
http://www.alzheimer.ca/
http://www.alz.org/
Sunday, October 21, 2007
My Father
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
15 comments:
I know that you are going through a difficult time and I can just send my best wishes to you. As you know, I have just experienced the loss of my father after a short illness. But I know how much of time is spent and energy is expended. I also have seen the affects of Alzheimers's on my sister-in-law's mother and friend's mom. Again, best wishes.
hi dave, i am so sorry to hear about your dad and his illness, and the effects of it on your mom and the rest of the family. as you said, it's a cruel disease, and i hate what it does to people. one of my neighbors has it, so i see what it's doing to her. my prayers are with you and your family during this time. i know it's not easy.
Gosh you're in my thoughts Dave. To make such a decision is stressful to say the least as well as dealing with any consequences. The real victims in these cases are the spouses and families for the patient is not aware of what his illness really means. You have a very loving family and will pull through this just fine. Take care Dave.
I'm so, so sorry to hear that your father has this cruel, all-encompassing disease. It's something I worry about with my own parents. Please don't hesitate to share with us as time goes by. You have friends here who really care.
Oh, Dave, I'm so sorry. This is a tough time for you, and we're all here for you if you need some company. Take care of your Mom, and take care of yourself.
Cheers,
Josie
My grandfather hat Alzheimer's too. It's very difficult for the person who cares for them. My grandma, had to get up in the middle of the night to prefent him from getting out of the window, after he could not open the door anymore. He was always in the past, wartime, and did not know us anymore. I would sit with him and listen to his war storries. He thought I was my mother as a child. The only one he remembered and wanted to have near him was his wife, my grandmother.
Sorry to hear about your father & his illness. The adjustment will be hard on all involved but I'm sure it will ease your mother's work load a bit once he gets settled in. Alzheimer's is such a robbing disease for all involved.
You'll be in my thoughts & prayers during this transition time.
Thanks for commenting on my blog. Yes I have seen that movie & its a good example of the way technology & satellites can find almost anything. I haven't been in blog land much lately. Not sure why but I am distracted from it. I hope to get back at it more this winter.
Take care Dave!
I'm so sorry about your dad. sometimes there is little choice in these matters.
hope all goes well in the transition.
I'm so sorry to hear that. I know how hard it is on everyone involved, especially your poor mom. Hope you can all find some peace and that your dad will settle in to his new home. Best of luck to you all.
so sorry to read about your Dad/family , I send best wishes and Prayers ,God Bless .
Greeneyes
Dave, sorry to hear this. It's a hard thing to go through.
My grandmother has dimentia. It sucks. She doesn't really know who is around her. She says she does, but doesn't. I am very sorry to hear about your father.
I'm sorry too. My mother is in the early stages of Alzheimers, but it's progressing more rapidly now than it has for the last couple of years. Just had the discussion with my sister today that Mom's going to have to move out of the house she shared with my father for over 40 years, before another year passes, I suspect. It's hard. Godspeed.
Best of luck to you and your family in trying to find a balance while dealing with this horrible disease.
It's stressful yes, but don't give up looking for new and creative ways to attempt managing the disease. A lot of money goes into funding Alzheimers research each year, perhaps something new will become available soon that can help you.
Take Care,
P
Post a Comment