There are 5.4 million people who have Alzheimer's. It cost 183 billion dollars in annual costs. Alz's is the 6th leading cause of death.
To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.' When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. Concentrate on this sentence... 'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.
WE LOVE HIM BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US
1 John 4: 9-10

Mom and Dad Happy Times.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Giving In

I have decided that it is time to stop making mom eat and drink and eat and drink. I think I am making her sick. If I work at it I can get a bowl of oatmeal or soup down her and a milkshake or smoothie. But it is making her sick. When hospice first came they told me not to force her to eat or drink. If she refuses it is just the illness. I thought that is awful. She will starve and get dehydrated. What are they thinking. But after this weekend I realize when I force her to eat and drink so much it makes her sick. I will try smaller portions and maybe if I can get her to wake up she will eat little bites during the day. But She sleeps most of the day. It is hard to wake her up. It is not the med. I only give her enough that she is not in pain. We had the medicine figured out were she was awake more and not a zombie. But now she sleeps without much medicine. But if I do get her to wake up she really isn't a zombie. She still tells my she hates me and shut up or NO!. That is good that is my mommy.
Posted by at
Labels: , ,

8 comments:

  1. HappyKNovember 24, 2009 at 7:40 PM

    I think you are wise not to force her to eat or drink if she doesn't want to.
    My dad didn't have Alzheimer's but I remember when I took care of him how hard it was to get him to eat. After a while I just offered him food and if he didn't want it I didn't force him.

    ReplyDelete
  2. karenNovember 24, 2009 at 9:41 PM

    I really didn't force her I would just keep asking her to open her mouth,take a bite or take a drink over and over. Till she ate or drank it all. It took forever but she would do it. She didn't want it but you could wait awhile than ask her again and she would open her mouth . Sometimes.

    ReplyDelete
  3. karenNovember 24, 2009 at 9:42 PM

    I really am forceing her to eat and drink. It sucks.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Carol Noren JohnsonNovember 25, 2009 at 5:39 AM

    Her eating when you wake her up is your contact with her, even though you were told to not feed her. And with this contact she resists eating. Wow!

    Will pray for a gentle home-going for your Mom in His time and strength for you to persevere trying to give her food and drink.

    ReplyDelete
  5. NVNovember 25, 2009 at 6:54 AM

    I wish I had some bit of wisdom to share or something to make it all better for you. We went through this with my grandfather but I can't picture it with my mom. You are a saint.

    ReplyDelete
  6. HelenNovember 25, 2009 at 8:17 AM

    You are very wise and loving to realize it's time to let your mother take food and drink as she wants to ...... it's also very hard to watch. I know.

    Please, enjoy this Thanksgiving.

    ReplyDelete
  7. DoloresNovember 25, 2009 at 1:41 PM

    Oh Karen, this must be so hard for you to see her eating less and sleeping more; part of this dreadful disease.

    I say it again, you are such a good daughter with so much love and patience.

    Blessed thanksgiving to you....
    Dolores

    ReplyDelete
  8. karenNovember 26, 2009 at 9:56 AM

    Thank you all. You make me feel much better about everything.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting my blog and I love reading your comments. Please come back soon. Karen

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

The Early, Mild to Moderate and Advanced stages of Alzheimer's in the brain.

The Early, Mild to Moderate and Advanced stages of Alzheimer's in the brain.

Seven Stages of Alzheimer's

1. No sign of congnitive impairment. 2. Very mild congnitive decline. 3. Mild congnitive decline. 4. Moderate congnitive decline. 5. Moderately severe congnitive decline. 6. Severe congnitive decline. 7. Very severe congnitive decline. (Congnitive pertains to the mental process of perception, memory, judgement, and reasoning, as contrasted with emotional and volitional processes.)

Popular Posts

  • Drive-in
    Mom is eating spaghetti and applesauce. And she is wide awake. No nurse today and no aid so I only gave mom her pain pills and some vitamins...
  • Tomato Soup
    I tried to get mom to share my TV dinner for lunch but no way Jose. So I started digging around looking for something to feed her and I foun...
  • Post Caregiver Stress Syndrome
    I looked online to see if there was a post Caregiver Stress Syndrome and I found this Caregiver Stress Syndrome. I did not find a label for ...
  • Glad To Be Home
    We just got back home Friday evening after a long stay at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Hospital in Little Rock Arkansas. ...
  • The Eight Legged Monster
    More like the eight armed monster. Or an Octopus. Mom would sit in her chair all day without moving if I let her. So nice and sweet. But whe...
  • Plant City Lady
    Plant City Lady and Friends: Precious Last Days     My friend Carol's Husband lost his fight with Alzheimer's this week. She is...
  • Peanut Butter and Jelly
    I found a new blog yesterday called My Peanut Butter and Jelly Life. It reminded me how much mom used to love PB&J sandwich's . Firs...
  • Brain Cells Come and Go
    I found this picture on another blog. She gave me permission to use it. I thought it fit our life. Except that Mom's brain cells don...
  • Craigslists
    I put mom's wheelchair van on Craiglist. I have to say it was a life saver. But now it just sets out side looking lonely. Many times the...
  • Rainy Day
    It has been a nice uneventful day. That is good. Mom is napping and I am on here. My Cat is laying in my lap . Tomorrow will be busy with mo...