Best practices include the care of our darlings but as caregivers we need to look out for ourselves. Care for the caregiver includes respite, a topic dear to me and upon which I have expostulated at length. Self-care can and should be done in the company of others. Spend time with friends. I have lunchContinue reading “The practice of care”
Author Archives: TheRealTamara
Best practices
One of my goals for this site is to offer guidance where I can. I want to list some ideas and tips that I have found handy on our journey. 1. Burt had some trouble vis a vis food early on. It worried me. I was feeding him lots of lemon meeingue pie and eggsContinue reading “Best practices”
Art for art’s sake
Squid Pro Quo is part of my respite care. I participate in a program that uses art as a tool for connection. The respite for me has added value because the other artists are not caregivers. It’s more a general population (albeit all of us older adults) group. It has been very soul-satisfying to me.
Basic Burt
In the course of an hour or so, Burt was holding on tight to his aide’s hand. He took mine with his free hand and continued an elaborate explanation. His chat was freewheeling and pleasant. He’s been sweet like this of late. No arguments or accusations. This is Burt down to his basic self. He’sContinue reading “Basic Burt”
Neglect
Sometimes, it feels like I am so torn up over the national outrage as it swirls around that I am not paying enough attention to my guy. Before you voice any alarm, know that I dearly love him. I will always tend to his needs. Love feeds and fuels me, so I am happy toContinue reading “Neglect”
Lonely
Caregiving is lonely. I’m sure I have lamented this in numerous posts. Burt seems like he’s pretty lonely, too. If you have a pwd, your person might also be feeling lonely. I need to be a bit more hands-on empathetic. It’s hard to stick with him when he’s not making sense. He’s lonely even withContinue reading “Lonely”
Short bursts of energy
There’s a support group that «puts the I in caregiver« which I value for its honesty. It’s akin to the one urging us «to be selfish.« I take about 5 hours for myself each day. It’s a necessary indulgence. Let me try to explain what my time away does to benefit me. When I getContinue reading “Short bursts of energy”
Alternate world
If you are living with a person with dementia and particularly this dementia, you know that your person spends much of his day in an alternate reality. There are delusions and theories that give credence to and explain them. Hallucinations are common occupants in the world of your loved one’s with LBD. Burt’s hallucinatory companionsContinue reading “Alternate world”
The little uptick
… comes with a little anxiety and agitation. His little puff of steam uphill comes with a return to other issues. Burt is a bit more anxious in his delusions; his fears are about someone hurting him. He’s more worried, whereas he seemed so contented during the big decline. I think because his world hasContinue reading “The little uptick”
Burt’s ups
There was a decline, and now he is showing a little pick up. A little one but marked by chattiness and some connection. He’s more engaged this week. He appears to know me a little better than he did. And lord, does he love to talk. He is still chatting with his make- believe friends,Continue reading “Burt’s ups”
