I talked to Dr. Lichstein about Dad. How he probably would be staying in California as he seems to be adapting to it. If he did come back I would have to put him in a nursing home (and Dr. Lichstein agreed with that.), which would not be as nice as the home setting he is in now.
I asked him what stage of Alzheimers Dad was. He said he would consider Dad in the moderate to severe range (though he hasn't given him a test recently). Because he probably would not know what year it was or where he was.
He asked me to record [if and when] Dad starts talking in Latin. A year ago we talked and he mentioned how the old memories stay the longest. I wondered if Dad's memories of Latin would possibly come out!
He said the end stage starts when Dad stops eating and drinking. (I don't think that has happened yet, but occasionally Dad does not eat too well).
Anyway, he thought Dad would not have issues with traveling, such as lung or heart issues.
I also talked to Karen Beard and she would be glad to help look up geriatric psychiatrist for Dad if needed, though she said he doesn't seem to have any behavioral issues.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Response to Barb
I know you mean well, but please do not say that Dad remembers me because he recognizes my picture. (It sounded like I was complaining but really I was just expressing my thoughts.) And that is all the thoughts are.
The truth whether he remembers me or not is what it is. Nothing that I can't deal with.
And certainly when I see him, the memories are what they are, and the time I am there will become memories as well during the time I am there visiting.
The truth whether he remembers me or not is what it is. Nothing that I can't deal with.
And certainly when I see him, the memories are what they are, and the time I am there will become memories as well during the time I am there visiting.
More and Melanoma
There was one other thing I forgot to mention in prior response....I guess I don't feel that Dad's alzheimers/dementia has deteriorated since his arrival here. To me, he is more talkative, responsive, and uses more complete sentences than what I recalled, but I'm sure it's a much different perspective when being with him every day versus seeing him on an occasional visit. I'll be very interested to hear what Cathy thinks when she sees him on her upcoming visit.
Dad had the "Mohs" Surgery on his melanoma yesterday (right cheek.) The process involves cutting the area, sending Dad back to waiting room, testing the margins to ensure they've taken enough, and repeating until they have. In Dad's case, it took two times. He came home with a big bandage on his right cheek. Today, the bag under his right eye is bruised, which according to the paperwork is normal. The big bandage has been removed, and there is tape-type bandage on the sutures/cut. He doesn't seem to be experiencing any real pain, but was certainly very tired yesterday, especially considering he had to wake up at 6am in order to be at the office by 7:45. He got to bed around 8:15pm last night, and slept well. He has a follow up next Wednesday, and then we will see when they want to schedule removal of the squaemous cell cancer (right forehead). I think they've said that surgery is more complex, probably because Dad has such tight skin in that area.
Dad had the "Mohs" Surgery on his melanoma yesterday (right cheek.) The process involves cutting the area, sending Dad back to waiting room, testing the margins to ensure they've taken enough, and repeating until they have. In Dad's case, it took two times. He came home with a big bandage on his right cheek. Today, the bag under his right eye is bruised, which according to the paperwork is normal. The big bandage has been removed, and there is tape-type bandage on the sutures/cut. He doesn't seem to be experiencing any real pain, but was certainly very tired yesterday, especially considering he had to wake up at 6am in order to be at the office by 7:45. He got to bed around 8:15pm last night, and slept well. He has a follow up next Wednesday, and then we will see when they want to schedule removal of the squaemous cell cancer (right forehead). I think they've said that surgery is more complex, probably because Dad has such tight skin in that area.
Response to Cathy
I just wrote a long response to Cathy's post and it must have crossed paths with Justine's post or something, but it got lost! Anyway, will try to recreate. I said...
I think Dad remembers you and all of us. Lois reviews our pictures with him regularly...sometimes the names don't come, but I truly believe he knows each of us. If anything, yours is the name he does remember! In fact, I just went to remind Dad about your upcoming visit. He responded " I DEFINITELY want to see her," with an emphasis on "definitely"!
Regarding brushing teeth, Dad brushes his teeth by himself for me every night! I have tried to encourage Ken to have Dad do as much for himself as possible...pulling pants down, getting up and down from sitting, getting into bed, etc. It's really a mind-set and requires patience...it's natural to want to help when he's struggling, but for sure if you do it for him, he will do it less and less, which ultimately makes it more difficult for everyone. I have the same expectations with the caregivers and feel that they're doing a good job in this regard. Cathy, if you can assist Ken (assuming he's willing) by modeling some of your approaches, that would be great.
I also feel strongly that keeping Dad active (as much as possible) is good. As I've said before, Lois takes Dad for at least a 5 minute walk around the house twice a day, as well as engaging him in puzzles, reading and other. Ken has said that Dad doesn't do much at his house. This last trip (and on previous visits) Ken reported that he had trouble with Dad waking up in the middle of the night and not going back to bed, and also not eating. I would propose that activity might help to alleviate this. Of course I realize it's easier for me since Dad is here more regularly, and there may be other factors affecting Dad's behavior at his house.
I think Dad remembers you and all of us. Lois reviews our pictures with him regularly...sometimes the names don't come, but I truly believe he knows each of us. If anything, yours is the name he does remember! In fact, I just went to remind Dad about your upcoming visit. He responded " I DEFINITELY want to see her," with an emphasis on "definitely"!
Regarding brushing teeth, Dad brushes his teeth by himself for me every night! I have tried to encourage Ken to have Dad do as much for himself as possible...pulling pants down, getting up and down from sitting, getting into bed, etc. It's really a mind-set and requires patience...it's natural to want to help when he's struggling, but for sure if you do it for him, he will do it less and less, which ultimately makes it more difficult for everyone. I have the same expectations with the caregivers and feel that they're doing a good job in this regard. Cathy, if you can assist Ken (assuming he's willing) by modeling some of your approaches, that would be great.
I also feel strongly that keeping Dad active (as much as possible) is good. As I've said before, Lois takes Dad for at least a 5 minute walk around the house twice a day, as well as engaging him in puzzles, reading and other. Ken has said that Dad doesn't do much at his house. This last trip (and on previous visits) Ken reported that he had trouble with Dad waking up in the middle of the night and not going back to bed, and also not eating. I would propose that activity might help to alleviate this. Of course I realize it's easier for me since Dad is here more regularly, and there may be other factors affecting Dad's behavior at his house.
Dad Remembers Me.
I don't get the impression from reading the blog that Dad "remembers me". I suppose he will recognize me when I see him soon. And I think he knows who I am when I call.
I just wonder what stage of Alzheimers he is in now.
I do think changes are hard for Dad now (but I might be so inclined myself to not like changes either), so I wonder how his memory is doing at this time--is it causing more frustrations, or just resignation?
Kenny mentioned that he brushes Dad's teeth now. I wonder if Dad forgot how to do it, or whether it is easier to have a caregiver brush them? I miss Dad brushing his teeth.
I just wonder what stage of Alzheimers he is in now.
I do think changes are hard for Dad now (but I might be so inclined myself to not like changes either), so I wonder how his memory is doing at this time--is it causing more frustrations, or just resignation?
Kenny mentioned that he brushes Dad's teeth now. I wonder if Dad forgot how to do it, or whether it is easier to have a caregiver brush them? I miss Dad brushing his teeth.