My brother stopped by at lunch time yesterday as he does several times a week. Years ago, he changed jobs so he could be closer to watch over my mom. That was when I still lived in California and the burden of her care rested solely with him.
When he arrived, mother and I were in the back room...aka den / study / computer room...me at the computer, mom on the sofa watching the local news on tv. Brother came back and sat on the couch next to her. She looked up, patted him on the knee, and said, "I don't know ya, but welcome!"
He and I didn't correct her. Doing so only makes her upset when she realizes her confusion and it really wouldn't accomplish anything.
Several hours later after he left, she said to me, "I can't believe I didn't know your brother this afternoon."
Not only did she remember him, and make the connection that we are brothers, but she remembered that she didn't remember him. The information flows into the brain but the connections are mixed up.
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After living in Southern California for 20 years, I returned home to upstate New York to watch over my mother who was suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. My brother and I did everything we could to keep her in familiar surroundings at home and avoid assisted living. We were successful until June 2009, two weeks short of her 80th birthday. These Alzheimer's Moments document her life and the challenges of being a primary caregiver.
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2 comments:
I really just don't know how you can deal with the sadness of events like this on a day-to-day basis.
As you know, my step-mom has Pick's Disease. I am, at times, just so glad that I live 300 miles away and do not have to see the progression of this disease from an up close view.
Thank you for writing this blog! I look forward to new posts every day.
Maybe someday I can cash in on the good karma I'm putting out there. In fact, tonight wouldn't be too soon. I bought a MegaMillions ticket for tonight's $370M drawing!
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