Grandfather Dementia Update + Patriots Win!
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This weekend was a combination of emotions to say the least. Today, I wanted to pop in really quick to share a dementia update on my grandfather. For those of you who have been following along, you know my grandfather recently started adult day care “camp” a couple weeks ago and it has been such a blessing and huge boost for his attitude. The thing is though, dementia and alzheimer’s disease play tricks on you. What do I mean by that? Just when you think things are going good and your loved one is on track, something happens. Their brain gets confused with no warning. It’s almost like a new person is inside their body. I am having a hard time wrapping my brain around this. My grandfather had a pretty rocky Saturday being confused, agitated, disgusted with his life and pretty much got REALLY mixed up. We brought him to the doctor to get him checked out and currently, we are working with the doctors to figure out a med plan for the confusion he is experiencing. Honestly, I am so clueless with this stuff that I am just praying that they find something that works and I get my gramp back. I really just want my gramp back. Ya know what I mean? So if you are the praying type, please say a little one for him.
This is a picture that I snapped quickly last week when I picked him up at camp (you can read this post to see all the details and print off a free adult day care coupon at Salmon Health Center) with one of his favorite cooks. My grandfather LOVES the staff and laughs and jokes the entire time he is there. Cute right? This week I am putting together a post about adult day care options and some tips on financial assistance for these kinds of programs. Stay tuned.
I love this Serenity Prayer quote. I find myself saying this a lot lately!
UPDATE: Follow the hospital and rehab journey here:
Another hospital trip for my grandfather during a blizzard
Dementia and Alzheimer’s The Disease from hell
Short Term Rehabilitation for my grandfather
On another note, (talk about a range of emotions) we are huge Patriots fans and the roof blew off our multigenerational house last night during the Super Bowl. Talk about a nail bitter, going to pass out kind of game. It did the trick though of making me forget about what was going on with my grandfather. My husband actually went to bed when the Patriots were down 3 touchdowns but he woke up an hour later to complete chaos after the 3rd quarter. The screams were a little loud. -ha. He was thankful the rest of us woke him up! He came downstairs and said, “oh my god, am I dreaming this?” For those of you who are Pats fan, you know exactly how that feeling of being in a dream feels ;).
About The Author
What started as a hobby, Jessica’s blog now has millions of people visit yearly and while many of the projects and posts look and sound perfect, life hasn’t always been easy. Read Jessica’s story and how overcoming death, divorce and dementia was one of her biggest life lessons to date.
I love that you care so much for your grandfather. You don’t see much of that anymore. My prayers are with you
and your family. Take care !
Thank you Libby 😉
I learned so much about Alzheimer’s and dementia in dealing with beloved family members. It’s a very painful experience for ALL involved. So many facets. So many phases. My heart goes out to all of you.
As a non-Patriots fan, CONGRATULATIONS are truly in order! Well-deserved, even if I was pulling for the Falcons!
Thank you Patty! Yes a roller coaster is a good way to describe it :).
Haha! My husband was ready to call it quits in the 3rd quarter, too. But, I reminded him of 2001 and 2003 snow bowl…. Wow what a game! You’re right, it was a nail biter.
I will keep your family in my prayers. You are so wonderful to him and I admire your strength for being by his side. This is when family matters the most and I pray you continue to be strong. My Blessings to you!
My Dad passed away a couple years ago with Dementia, and it’s a sad and harsh disease. I found a lot of inspiration from the following blog, as this lady deals with her husband Bob’s Alzheimer’s. She refers to him as “Al” during the challenging times. Well worth reading her daily posts as she gives insight into that world that becomes a maze for those affected. I admire the love and care you and your family share.
http://sherizeee.blogspot.com/2016/02/living-with-bob-and-al_13.html
Will keep you and your family in my prayers Jessica because prayer works. And yes, it was the greatest Super Bowl ever!!! My husband has been a Pats fan for many years but I’m a recent convert, and it’s fantastic to have witnessed what this team did!
Praying for your family. I know that any illness that affects the brain is so difficult. My mother had a stroke 9 years ago, and I feel like in many ways I lost her then. She’s still living but needs care 24/7. It can sometimes seem like being caught in a never ending nightmare. And on a lesser note, for those of us who were cheering for the Falcons, it seemed like a nightmare last night, but Congrats are definitely in order to you and all the Patriot fans!
With a lump in my throat, I’m praying for your gramps and the rest of your family. ALZ & dementia are cruel diseases and I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for all of you. May God bless you for deeply caring for your grandfather and give you some answers on how to deal with the situation ❤
Hi Jessica,
I am praying for your grandfather and your family. You are a very loving person. God Bless You and your family.
Cheers,
Vickey
Thank you for your sweet comment 🙂 I appreciate you stopping by!
Hi Jessica,
Not for a moment will you ever regret the time and care you’re putting in for caring for your Dear Grandfather! I have a friend whose Mom had Alzheimer’s and she has so many stories to tell, because through it all, her mother never lost her sense of humor. Sometimes they would sit and just relive all their “yesterdays”. She was in a nursing home for 3 years and was quite lucid ’till the end. Take one day at a time, and,know that many prayers are coming your way. Stay strong ~it’s obvious that they all need and depend on you. You seem to be the rock that holds the family together. ????????
Thanks sweet friend. My gramp still has his sense of humor and hopefully he won’t loose that . He definitely makes me laugh. The stuff he comes out with and does (while it’s sometimes crazy) can be very funny. As he he says,”it’s better to laugh because it’s better than crying.” ha 😉
So beautiful to see the love you have for your gramps. Lots of prayers for you and your familyy.
Thank you Kim ! I appreciate you stopping by 😉
I am praying for all of your family. Be strong and LOVE on.
Thanks so much Juanita!
I am praying for you and your family as you go through this Journey with your granddad. He is So Blessed to have such loving family around him. Sending Love and Hugs.
Thank you Cheryl 🙂
Jessica, I just read something the other day about a break thru they have had in Alzheimer’s research. I don’t know exactly know where though. I receive an Alz magazine that my father subscribed to for us 3 children. Just a thought.
I pray for you and your family daily. I pray for patience and understanding. I always would tell my mother that I loved her and dad was nuts. LOL She would say, ” I just can’t hold a thought.” I would say MOM, you do it all. Dad sits on the couch and reads the paper. She was always the glue. Dad realized that Mom did the bulk of whatever happened in the home. His moment of her ALZ was when he had to put on her panty hose for her to wear to church. Everything will be as God intends it to be.
Thanks Gail 🙂 Yes the panty hose moment must have been an eye opener 😉
We miss Fred! He is such a ray of sunshine, Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you and your family. I will be starting a monthly caregiver support group at the ADH in March. It might be helpful for your grandma to attend. He is in our thoughts!
Lisa!!!! Thank you so much for your kind words and he is anxious to get back to camp! lol. In fact, he told me yesterday that is “current camp” stinks compared to YOUR camp! haha.
Hi Jessica, My Mom struggles with dementia and Alz. as well. This month is one year now that she’s been living at a nursing home. Like your Grandfather she hasn’t lost her sense of humor either. She has the best “come backs” ever!! The activities at the nursing home are great for keeping her in good spirits. It is a little bit of a roller coaster. Although, as meds have been adjusted throughout this 1st year and as she has become more comfortable with her surroundings she is more content. She has a couple of friends there that are great company for her.
My Mom, along with the rest of the family are also huge Patriots fans ?☝? God Bless them all at the nursing home, they my forget what they had for lunch but they sure know all about Tom Brady!! Prayers for your Grandfather and your family ❤️
Hi Cathy, that is awesome that your mom is feeling more content and comfortable. Man, watching a loved one get old is tough :(. That is so funny about the Patriots! Thanks for your kind words and encouragement , I appreciate it 🙂