Thief.

Last week was my sister's birthday.
It came and went and Mom had know idea.

We always had birthday parties when my sister and I were kids.  The neighbor kids were invited along with a few friends from church and school.  Birthday cakes (homemade, of course), "Pin the Tail on the Donkey", and then the opening of presents - it was all quite exciting to us.  I remember Mom making little favor baskets by cutting Dixie cups a certain way then filling them with candy for our guests to take home. Lots of photos were taken with the big-flashbulb-Kodak-camera to mark these special times. Nothing was pre-packaged or ordered.  Everything was made, by hand, by Mom. Sweet, happy, simple times...

She could never have imagined there would come a day when she could no longer remember the day she birthed her two babies.

Dementia is a Thief.

Diamonds and Stones

"Some days are diamonds some days are stones

Sometimes the hard times won't leave me alone

Sometimes a cold wind blows a chill in my bones

Some days are diamonds some days are stones."

      ~John Denver

It seems we've had so many, blessed, good days with Mom that sometimes I forget that ultimately we're fighting a losing battle.  Dementia/Alz always wins.  There is no cure.  But there is a lot to say for the medicines that can work their God-given magic for a very long time.

Today Mom was "out of sorts".  These days happen occasionally and when they do I'm reminded once again of the challenges she faces...

Instead of getting dressed and readied for the day she remained in her pj's far longer than usual.  Once I went into her room and she was sitting in her chair simply running her fingers back and forth through her hair.  She had a distant look in her eyes but her conversation was right on track.

Later I went back into her room and she was sitting staring blankly, still wearing her pj's.  Normally she would have been fully dressed and reading a book.  She's still an avid reader. . .So I suggested to her that we go a movie. She agreed.  This spurred her to take a shower and ready herself for going out.

The movie outing was good.  She enjoyed the movie. She seemed much more "in tune" after being out.

There is a lot to be said for mental stimulation.
Last weekend I was out of town and Mom was indoors the entire time I was gone.  She was cared for, but not really mentally challenged or stimulated.  I feel today was the result of that.
It's the biggest challenge I face right now with caring for Mom and helping her to be at her best.