Because Mac rarely knows what time it is, or if it's time to get up, go to bed etc....he was not the least bit interested in going to the Christmas Party Dinner given by the staff of our Residence...The Floralies...Could easily understand this as he had a fairly busy day, starting with going to Raymond...his barber of over 40 years...then shopping with me at the Grocery Store...each of these activities is, for Mac, a mixed blessing...anything new - i.e. getting a haircut...is upsetting..and he always says..no way...Going to the Grocery store can be overwhelming when it's crowded and noisy...Christmas music etc...but once he was involved in both these activities, he was fine.
Raymond his barber not only drove us to his home where his barber shop now is, but conversed with Mac - which is so good. As Oliver Sacks says - people do not consist of memory alone, people have feelings, imaginagion, drive, will and moral being...thus Alzheimer's disease does not stop a person needing what makes him feel happy and contented...he needs contact with friends and family - and to feel secure and comfortable..Raymond certainly does that for Mac...and he also drove us to the grocery store and picked us up, as it was so windy and snowy...and although Mac never really knows for certain who I am...yet as he get's in the front seat of the car, he always says, Jan, are you there... to make sure I'm in the back seat...this always makes me wonder...but certaily it is security for him that I am there....
So at 5;00 p.m. when I told him, hey let's go it's the turkey dinner party..."I'm not hungry..it's time for bed..."...well no it's only 5:00 p.m. he couldn't believe it...but fnally he did see his watch and the digital time, so agreed to go down to the dining room...There too he was so secure..sitting with Edith who taunts him and says, look you got your food all over your napkin.. one would think he would hate that..but NO, he laughs and tells her "watch it..i'll get something all over you'...chatted with the staff and I just realize again how much this place and the people in it are so good - not only for Mac but for many of the residents...
Later we had a great party..with an entertaining singer and loads of dancing...staff were terrific dancing with people who looked like they would rather be asleep. but once moving to the music...they revive and enjoy..we for sure really enjoyed, in fact I danced holding mac's hand as he sat and moved his feet as did the man next to him who also held my hand.... Many of the regular non ill and non- physically handicapped people and visitors were there, singing in both languages and dancing... Till Mac said to me...'ok it's enough' it was and we happily went up to our apartment, and for a change...Mac didn't think we were on a train..knew where his bed was and is now peacefully sleeping...so time to join him in slumberland..a great day.g'nite.
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