Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Well it flew by, the 2 hours assisting Alma my friend with the big A. The art project was definitely the reason, which was filling in a series of wavy segments with different colours then when one joined the sections one would see a lovely blend and combinations of color. Alma who at one time was a draughtswoman in her former life (i.e. before retirement and the awful alzheimer's disease)cottoned on to this easily, finding just the right combination of colours to make her project interesting.
As usual we did take time out to have tea, look out at the lake, comment on the trees, birds, cars etc..plus read some of an article in the National Geographic. Alma still reads, what she takes in is another story...At one point we were reading about Orca whales having a "feeding frenzy"...when I read it she thought I said "feeding friends", "no dear she said that word is "frenzy", I said - what I wonder is frenzy.she just looked at me and said "oh kind of a mess"...well somewhat I thought...it was an uneventful but lovely time, and leaving Alma was quite simple as she had to be toileted, and I could leave easily, putting the Easter Egg I brought on her bureau..and thought well another interesting day..as I always enjoy the people we are with and especially Alma...
Last week during our conversation, I mentioned her daughter Jackie, she said "are you talking about my Jackie", and was so "on target", but this week, when Jackie waved to her ...she said, "now tell me dear, just what is that girl's name"...this is the heartbreak of Alzheimer's, In any case the heartbreak is there and the problems with this disease..so I took a picture of
The Ten Commandments of Dementia
1, Realize that you do the adapting and the modifying of your response to the resident's behaviour.
2. Realize that You enter the resident's reality rather than pull them into yours.
3. Realize that ONE size does not fit all, when it comes to what will and what will not work for each individual.
4.. Realize that approaches and techniques are not 100% failure-free and that you must learn to be flexible.
5. Realize that success means adapting the task to whatever the individual's highest level happens to be.
6. Realize that the process is more important than the net result, and celebrate that process regardless of the outcome.
7. Realize that you need to "do what it takes" when the tried and true methods have not been effective.
8 Realize that normalization is important in giving residents a sense of participating in their own lives as they see fit.
9. Realize that the family is an equal partner in the caregiving process and that educating them is up to you.
10. Realize that through your caregiving, you hold the key to success of the resident's journey through this disease and that because of this, you are a rare and special person
(Taken from the Methodist Home, Chicago, Illinois)
These Commandments are worth reading and using with so many who are going through this life as a person with "dementia", or the person who is considered the "caregiver"...
I'm planning to pass them on to the people in charge here at my own Residence....I hope the reader finds some worth in these words not only with dementia patients, but with so many others who deserve respect and help.
Wednesday 19 April 2017
Wednesday 12 April 2017
Wednesday April 12, 2017..Little late posting this week, but I did get to my Monday visit with Alma, and what a beautiful spring/summer day it was. Although we did a little art...coloring in pre drawn flowers...it was just too lovely outdoors..so out we went.
Alma in a wheelchair, and me pushing it along. Once we were outside I realized that it was kind of hot for Alma's head so I put my peak cap on her..(I need a peak - having crappy eyes) she was so pleased fixing it in a jaunty style over her eyes. So we wheeled our way around the courtyard stopping to talk to some of the other patients who were also in wheelchairs. Alma would point the way and on we would go. Here is perfect, no too much wind..try over there. Eventually we stopped at a perfect place, then I realized hey she is missing her cup of coffee..Asking another person also with a patient, I checked if she could keep her eye on Alma, while I rushed in for the coffee, so with coffee in hand, peak cap on her head and her white curls, she looked happy and jaunty as she looked up at the beautiful blue sky and lovely white clouds..remarking _"how beautiful "! This reminded me so much of Mac, it is so perfect for Alzheimer's patients to be outdoors and enjoying they feel at home and I know rarely do they have a problem outdoors, their conversation may be sparse but it usually happy.
As I was wheeling her back to the elevator to return her to her floor, I was pleased to notice she was not complaining of pain in her hip, earlier she was and I thought perphaps it was her wheel chair and tried to find the physio without luck...but then remembered she should have her tylenol pill so checked that out and sure enough it had not been given at the usual time..So obviously it had taken it's effect. Anyway, as we were waiting for the elevator, along came the deaf student from Mackay
to do her volunteer work. how pleased she was to meet us again. Always a pleasure to meet my old friends and students from the days of teaching at Mackay..and always a satisfaction to see how these deaf students can cope in a hearing world..
Getting back to Alma I said to her, "Jackie will be joining you soon, but I'll have to leave"..I was so pleased to hear her say "Jackie" , My Jackie" How good she was at recognizing and remembering her daughter, although it isn't always the case, I thought to myself, well Alma is on-target and perfect today. As I thought this I kind of thoughtlessly started to remove her hat, as I needed it to go home, Well, she grabbed it, and said "do not do that, it is my hat" You should ask first", I said, I'm sorry Alma, I then said "oh by the way here are some cookies I brought for you. The cookies were in a package and in a little bag. As she grabbed the cookies and the bag I managed to get the hat. Then said I'm leaving now, but will see you next week. She said, "fine and be sure to return my hat to me before then."Well for sure nothing got past Alma that day. I will put commandments for those dealing with Alzheimer's in my next blog. I for one, after my this little episode, should take the commandments seriously, and remember to always "ask first".
Alma in a wheelchair, and me pushing it along. Once we were outside I realized that it was kind of hot for Alma's head so I put my peak cap on her..(I need a peak - having crappy eyes) she was so pleased fixing it in a jaunty style over her eyes. So we wheeled our way around the courtyard stopping to talk to some of the other patients who were also in wheelchairs. Alma would point the way and on we would go. Here is perfect, no too much wind..try over there. Eventually we stopped at a perfect place, then I realized hey she is missing her cup of coffee..Asking another person also with a patient, I checked if she could keep her eye on Alma, while I rushed in for the coffee, so with coffee in hand, peak cap on her head and her white curls, she looked happy and jaunty as she looked up at the beautiful blue sky and lovely white clouds..remarking _"how beautiful "! This reminded me so much of Mac, it is so perfect for Alzheimer's patients to be outdoors and enjoying they feel at home and I know rarely do they have a problem outdoors, their conversation may be sparse but it usually happy.
As I was wheeling her back to the elevator to return her to her floor, I was pleased to notice she was not complaining of pain in her hip, earlier she was and I thought perphaps it was her wheel chair and tried to find the physio without luck...but then remembered she should have her tylenol pill so checked that out and sure enough it had not been given at the usual time..So obviously it had taken it's effect. Anyway, as we were waiting for the elevator, along came the deaf student from Mackay
to do her volunteer work. how pleased she was to meet us again. Always a pleasure to meet my old friends and students from the days of teaching at Mackay..and always a satisfaction to see how these deaf students can cope in a hearing world..
Getting back to Alma I said to her, "Jackie will be joining you soon, but I'll have to leave"..I was so pleased to hear her say "Jackie" , My Jackie" How good she was at recognizing and remembering her daughter, although it isn't always the case, I thought to myself, well Alma is on-target and perfect today. As I thought this I kind of thoughtlessly started to remove her hat, as I needed it to go home, Well, she grabbed it, and said "do not do that, it is my hat" You should ask first", I said, I'm sorry Alma, I then said "oh by the way here are some cookies I brought for you. The cookies were in a package and in a little bag. As she grabbed the cookies and the bag I managed to get the hat. Then said I'm leaving now, but will see you next week. She said, "fine and be sure to return my hat to me before then."Well for sure nothing got past Alma that day. I will put commandments for those dealing with Alzheimer's in my next blog. I for one, after my this little episode, should take the commandments seriously, and remember to always "ask first".
Monday 3 April 2017
April 4, 2017 Monday...Here I am back at the ranch, so to speak. I've been with Alma for two different sessions now. I'm always amazed at how she can make one feel so good...I know it's supposed to be the opposite way around. BUT, how would it be if everyone said something that Alma said to me when I asked her.."hi Alma how are you" answer...Fine, especially now you are here"...Well it took me aback, but how sweet is that.
We then proceeded to walk to the windows of the Bayview Residence where she lives...everything pleases her eye from the trees by the water, to the light from the sun shining off the car windows, makes one appreciate life in general and one's good health in particular.
After looking out the windows, one this side one that side and one the other side,commenting on each little leaf, tree and reminding ourselves again, how wonderful it all is, we proceed to read the National Geographic. Amazing how easily Alma reads does she understand what she reads, well yes if we go over it point to the pictures the words are addition and for sure its worth talking about.
Then it's time to do our art work. Today's project was to paint already photocopied flowers (kind of from a coloring book) then to paint a little 3 d box to put at the bottom of the flowers...This was done not too enthusiastic about it, but was done, lily with leaves, and finally a large zinnia...Her comments are always to encourage me to continue with my good work, It is supposed to be the opposite way around here so I kind of end up saying the same thing she says to me ,then I say to her. Such as, "well done", "you are really quite artistic"...She is always so quick to compliment my work, that it seems almost ridiculous to say the same thing to her...
How lovely it is to help someone so unassuming and so happy to see me...the only time Alma seems to get cross is when she decides something - such as a paint brush absolutely belongs to her, no way will she give it up...but that is minor and soon becomes something she doesn't want anyway/
Then it's time to take her up to either a window on her floor so she can look out , or to her room to watch t.v. or to the main room with the others watching t.v., or listening to music. I say "goodbye, see you next week"...Jackie will be up to see you...and the sweet answer "you mean my Jackie", yes is the answer...
My volunteer work for the week with Alma is over, then the volunteer (my friend Harry) comes to get the volunteer, and I go home to think about Alzheimer's disease and the many who suffer this curse...I have put something on Facebook re the handling of Alzheimer's patients...not all are as easy as Alma, I know...but all should have visitors.
Oh before I forget how lovely it was to watch a bed ridden woman, unable to talk, or hardly speak, twisted body (perhaps rheumatoid arthritis) , being stroked and kissed on the forehead by her husband...lucky her; how often this is not the case...she certainly did something right in her life, Then as I was leaving to meet an old former deaf student...happy and contented visiting her aunt at this residence and telling me IN sign language, I'm so lucky I'm able to have fun live a good life and enjoy friends...I help to feed the ones who cannot feed themselves...and proudly say "I'm a VOLUNTEER..
We then proceeded to walk to the windows of the Bayview Residence where she lives...everything pleases her eye from the trees by the water, to the light from the sun shining off the car windows, makes one appreciate life in general and one's good health in particular.
After looking out the windows, one this side one that side and one the other side,commenting on each little leaf, tree and reminding ourselves again, how wonderful it all is, we proceed to read the National Geographic. Amazing how easily Alma reads does she understand what she reads, well yes if we go over it point to the pictures the words are addition and for sure its worth talking about.
Then it's time to do our art work. Today's project was to paint already photocopied flowers (kind of from a coloring book) then to paint a little 3 d box to put at the bottom of the flowers...This was done not too enthusiastic about it, but was done, lily with leaves, and finally a large zinnia...Her comments are always to encourage me to continue with my good work, It is supposed to be the opposite way around here so I kind of end up saying the same thing she says to me ,then I say to her. Such as, "well done", "you are really quite artistic"...She is always so quick to compliment my work, that it seems almost ridiculous to say the same thing to her...
How lovely it is to help someone so unassuming and so happy to see me...the only time Alma seems to get cross is when she decides something - such as a paint brush absolutely belongs to her, no way will she give it up...but that is minor and soon becomes something she doesn't want anyway/
Then it's time to take her up to either a window on her floor so she can look out , or to her room to watch t.v. or to the main room with the others watching t.v., or listening to music. I say "goodbye, see you next week"...Jackie will be up to see you...and the sweet answer "you mean my Jackie", yes is the answer...
My volunteer work for the week with Alma is over, then the volunteer (my friend Harry) comes to get the volunteer, and I go home to think about Alzheimer's disease and the many who suffer this curse...I have put something on Facebook re the handling of Alzheimer's patients...not all are as easy as Alma, I know...but all should have visitors.
Oh before I forget how lovely it was to watch a bed ridden woman, unable to talk, or hardly speak, twisted body (perhaps rheumatoid arthritis) , being stroked and kissed on the forehead by her husband...lucky her; how often this is not the case...she certainly did something right in her life, Then as I was leaving to meet an old former deaf student...happy and contented visiting her aunt at this residence and telling me IN sign language, I'm so lucky I'm able to have fun live a good life and enjoy friends...I help to feed the ones who cannot feed themselves...and proudly say "I'm a VOLUNTEER..
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