Take Care Of Yourself

Hi to all my bloggers friends I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I have to say it was a very long day for me but the night was worse. I got very sick with a stomach flu. Which makes me not want to see dressing for another year for sure.It was very good dressing too. At the time I was eating it anyway.
My son had the flu last week so I guess it is going around. Lets just hope mom does not get it. The hardest part was having to care for mom. When I was up turning and changing her I also was in the bathroom tossing my cookies. Or dressing. Nasty! Anyway the hardest part was the next morning . I actully could of stayed in bed . I was not needing to run to the bathroom but I had to get up for mom. It was getting late and she needed changed , turned and fed. I did it . I got up but after I changed her and turned her I laid back down for another hour. Than I had to get up to fed her. So my tip this week from my book is on Survival. When I get done with this book I won't have anything to write about. That is sad. Anyway here goes.
1. Put staying healthy at the top of your list.
2.Have a backup plan in case something unexpected happens to you.
3.Keep your sense of humor.
4.Pat yourself on the back for the good job you are doing.
5.Get enough rest and eat right.
6.Make time for the things you like to do.
7.Talk about how you feel with others.
8.Listen to your friends.
9.Make a list of all the things your loved on can still do.
I am not sure if the last one applies to mom and me . She does not do anything much but open her mouth to eat and talk. But at least she is eating. Thank goodness for that. I guess when you make a list you see what there is to be thankful for. I get it!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

Let us all give Thanks for the lovely world about us, and all of those who care. For all the loved ones dear to us, Who's lives we joyfully share. Give Thanks for the freedoms won in strife by the children of us all, and keep the faith in God, and Love, and America cannot fall. Love you guys!

Refusing Care

Good morning everyone. It is a very cool or should I say cold Monday morning here in Arkansas . We are waiting on the Aid to come give mom her bath. My tip this post from my Alzheimer's Caregivers Playbook is on refusing care. Mom is long past this stage but I know many of my readers still have this stage to look forward to. I have to say it is a hard time. One of many . Now mom just lays in bed and we can do what we want to her . She does let out a yell sometimes but that is it. No hitting or scratching anymore.If I ask her anything now she may say yes and she may say no or she might just lay there and stare at me. But I don't know really if she understands my question or not. It seems like she does sometimes. I don't mind her yelling. It makes me feel like she is still there. So yell all you want mom. I just hope it is not from pain and just because she is mad at me.
Tip number 1. Keep a daily routine.
2. Don't ask " Do you want to bathe,brush your teeth or get dressed?"
3. In a happy voice, say "We need to ...( the care Activity)
4. Have all supplies ready before you start an activity.
5. Explain to her or him ,in simple terms , what you will be doing.
6. Make sure there refusal is not because they are afraid or does not understand what you are asking them to do.
7. If she begins to fight you, step away . Try again later.
Boy, I needed these tips when mom was in this stage. I did everything wrong. Good luck and I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving.

Toby Keith - American Soldier

THANK YOU!!!

November is National Caregivers Month.

November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month
According to the Alzheimer’s Association 2010 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, there are more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and as many as 10 million family caregivers.
Remember Caregivers you are not alone. Lots of help out there. It is one of the hardest jobs I have ever done. And if not for Hospice we would not of made it this far. Ask for help. Call someone, anyone. Your family,friends and doc. or your love ones doc. They have info. on how to get help. They don't always tell you about it till you ask . So ask. One person or even two cannot deal with care giving 24/7 on there own. Call DHS there is Elder Choices,The Area On Ageing. And don't forget your church or Pastor never forget to pray. The number one thing that has got me through this is my relationship with the Lord . When I am here alone just me and mom I am never really alone. I pray I cry I pray and cry some more and than the alone feeling goes away. Love you all . And take care of yourself so you can care for your love one.