One Day in the Life of a Wolf

[Kangan]

From conversations with medical personnel and from my own experiences with my mother, it is a fact that Alzheimer's patients can be very combattive and aggressive. This makes dealing with them very tricky and takes a lot of patience. They can also suffer delusions and it can be impossible to convince them otherwise.

I was fortunate that the family had enough money to allow for my mother to be properly cared for in an institution dedicated to serving Alzheimer's patients. Hone care is very demanding of the caregiver and is fraught with problems. Medications are helpful but very expensive.

While I am saddened by the loss of my mother, I am also gladdened by knowing that her ordeal has ended.

[MacTheWolf]

Mom had two psychotic episodes yesterday. In both instances she was screaming for the police because I wouldn't let in all five of our show dogs from the outside (we only have two dogs, both German Shepherds, and neither are show dogs.

She tried to go to the backyard at 9:00pm last night. Our backyard is risky enough in the daytime with all the little holes my dogs have dug out. I had to hold on to her to prevent her from going out the back door. She says I hurt her sore arm more when I held her.

She said, "this is my house and I'll go outside anytime I want to, day or night." Well, she's partially right. It is her house.

She refused to take all her blood pressure medicine as well.

Damn I can't wait till the Conservatorship Hearing in May. It being in force wouldn't have changed last nights events however.

Though, I'm hoping with Conservatorship, I can get a Reverse Mortgage to afford another caregiver, at least a parttime one, so the caregiver can take some of the abuse and give me a few hours off a week.

Also, we're a month behind every month in utility bills and with the Reverge Mortgage income I could catch up.

On the negative = I hate my life.

On the positive = At least I have my Computer, Internet, TV, VCR, DietCoke and Tobacco. They aid me in maintaining a relative state of sanity.

There's that old saying: "Everyone one in the world is crazy but me and thee and now I wonder about thee." I'd have to modify the last part by saying, "and now I'm wondering about me."

[MacTheWolf]

When I served mom her usual breakfast of eggs, toast and bacon, she was in a bad mood and threw it on the floor. I cooked her a second breakfast and, thank gawd, she decided to eat it.

If I wasn't living this life I'd say it would make a great situation comedy. How about "Mac and Momma?"

Eh...probably wouldn't sell.

[Blaise]

From conversations with medical personnel and from my own experiences with my mother, it is a fact that Alzheimer's patients can be very combattive and aggressive. This makes dealing with them very tricky and takes a lot of patience. They can also suffer delusions and it can be impossible to convince them otherwise.

I was fortunate that the family had enough money to allow for my mother to be properly cared for in an institution dedicated to serving Alzheimer's patients. Hone care is very demanding of the caregiver and is fraught with problems. Medications are helpful but very expensive.

While I am saddened by the loss of my mother, I am also gladdened by knowing that her ordeal has ended.

What a horrible illness. I admire those who have taken on the burden of caring for its victims. They too are victims. Thank you for sharing accounts of your experiences. I am sorry for the loss of your mother.

[Riverwind]

Kangan,

I feel bad for you and happy, all at the same time. Remember the good times.

River

[Kangan]

What a horrible illness. I admire those who have taken on the burden of caring for its victims. They too are victims. Thank you for sharing accounts of your experiences. I am sorry for the loss of your mother.

I had it fairly easy in comparison - how MactheWolf can stand it is beyond me. Sounds like Momma badly needs some anti-psychotic drugs.

Hugs.

[MacTheWolf]

Kangan

I truly wish her doctor would prescribe some anti-psychotic drugs that might help and, at the same time, be safe for a 92 year old to take without more than minor physical detriment.

[tome]

Mac,
You sure have your hands full and I give you credit for helping your mother. Not many people will do what your are doing for her, even though she may not appreciate it.
My wife was sick for 14 years and her mother was in a nursing home with dementia.
My wife passed away when I was 60 and she was 52 and her mother a year later. My whole life has changed especially financially for the good, Bobbie knows about that, I am 65 and looking at another job with good $$ for a change and feel great.
Mac I really wish you the best and will pray for you. If I can be of any help let me know. If I had your phone # I could call as my vonage line lets me call 24/7 toll free. Email your # if you wish and a good time to call.

[Blaise]

Mac,
You sure have your hands full and I give you credit for helping your mother. Not many people will do what your are doing for her, even though she may not appreciate it.
My wife was sick for 14 years and her mother was in a nursing home with dementia.
My wife passed away when I was 60 and she was 52 and her mother a year later. My whole life has changed especially financially for the good, Bobbie knows about that, I am 65 and looking at another job with good $$ for a change and feel great.
Mac I really wish you the best and will pray for you. If I can be of any help let me know. If I had your phone # I could call as my vonage line lets me call 24/7 toll free. Email your # if you wish and a good time to call.

Your encouragement for Mac delights me. Thank you for offering it.

[Kangan]

Mac,
Hang in there. If she is 92 (like my mother was), this situation cannot go on forever. Your mother's symptoms seem very much those of my mother before she had to be moved to an institution.

There are drugs that can help, but they are very expensive.

Hugs.

[MacTheWolf]

Tnis morning I received a call from a Court Investigator who said he was coming by tomorrow to check on mom, the house and my fitness to be her conservator. I'll let you know the results tomorrow.

I''ll spend this day sprucing up the house despite the fact my migraine feels like a 9.2 on the Richter scale. Well here goes nothing.

[MacTheWolf]

As I was driving to get more dog food, I noticed the car was leaking water like a sieve. I bought some duct tape to see if that "might" seal the leak If it doesn't work, I'll buy some of that sealent that you put into the radiator for leaks. If that fails to stop the leak, I'll have to wait till the first of the month and get a new heater hose which means I might be walking till then.

To quote Erma Bombeck, "if life is such a bowl of cherries, why am I (and millions of others) living in the pits

[MacTheWolf]

WEll....

Red Green's duct tape did noting to slow the leak.

But the radiator sealent seems to be working so all is right with the world for the moment

[tome]

Mac,
I wish everything the best for you in your present situation.
Take it a day at a time and it will work out if you let it go.
Its hard to do but it worked for me with my wifes issues and constant $$ problems.

[MacTheWolf]

The Court Investigator just left and seemed satisified, He was very pleasant and businesslike. He asked mom several questions and she gave the correct answers as far as I heard. Mom said she wanted me, her only offspring and relative in this state, to make medical decisions for her and to care for her. I showed him he meds but all he was nterested in was ner nerve pills (Xanax) and her sleeping pills (Ambien).

He stayed about ten minutes and left. He seemed satisified with both her and mine responses.