Alzheimer's disease · Assisted living · Bob Dylan · Depression

Ain’t talkin’ / October 27, 2007

Today is mild and rainy. The ground is covered with bright yellow leaves and there are still many more to fall. Last year at this time my mother was in the hospital with a pulmonary embolism, and I was frantically trying to arrange for her to move from rehab right into Garden Manor. That didn’t… Continue reading Ain’t talkin’ / October 27, 2007

Aid & Attendance · Assisted living · Caregiver · Conversation · Visiting

Aid & Attendance, part 5 / September 15, 2007

I finally got the thick envelope from the Veterans Administration, and I felt like a high school senior, trying to guess the contents before opening it. The VA awarded my mother the full Aid & Attendance benefit, retroactive to the end of Dec. 2006.  Whew.  BUT because she has Alzheimer’s, they will designate her as… Continue reading Aid & Attendance, part 5 / September 15, 2007

Alzheimer's disease · Assisted living · Burnout · Caregiver · Caregiving · Depression · Grief

Same old, same old / August 31, 2007

A quick entry, just to say that I’ve posted at least once in August. I continue to visit my mother three times each week.  Some days I find her settled, other days–like today–find her agitated.  She’s usually fretting about someone she cannot quite identify.  Today it was someone named “Lily” (the name of my recently-departed… Continue reading Same old, same old / August 31, 2007

Aid & Attendance · Assisted living · Caregiver · Caregiving · Depression · Financial stress · Grief · Nursing homes

Six months / June 23, 2007

My mother has now been living at Garden Manor for six months, and here is where we stand: On the Aid & Attendance front, I reapplied in late February–four months ago–and have not yet received a decision. I had originally sent the application to the Providence, RI, office of the VA, but received an acknowledgement… Continue reading Six months / June 23, 2007

Assisted living · Caregiver · Caregiving · Dogs · Memories · Mindfulness

Slow boat to the present / June 16, 2007

I’ve been mulling over the very insightful comments left by Marty and Gail on my last post. I think Gail summed it up well when she stated that “it’s the tension between ‘doing’ versus ‘being’.” I’ve always been someone who feels that the “being” will come later on–there is just so much that needs to… Continue reading Slow boat to the present / June 16, 2007

Alzheimer's disease · Assisted living · Burnout · Caregiver · Memories

Decision fatigue / June 10, 2007

My mother is much quieter when I visit now. Today being Sunday, we took off for our usual lunch and drive. My sister comes along, as does Jasper the Sheltie (who really doesn’t like going for a ride, surprisingly–he runs and hides when I approach with his harness. This is pretty uncharacteristic for a dog… Continue reading Decision fatigue / June 10, 2007

Alzheimer's disease · Assisted living · Caregiver · Caregiving · Depression · Grief · Language

Blues / April 28, 2007

I didn’t want to let April go by without a word. I’ve started several posts over the past two months but have been unable to finish them. I knew that I would have a period of adjustment to my mother’s new living situation, and I guess I shouldn’t be surprised to find myself depressed. When… Continue reading Blues / April 28, 2007

Assisted living · Caregiver · Caregiving · Dogs · Teaching

Time will tell / March 15, 2007

I almost adopted another collie last weekend. I’ve been sneaking a search or two on Petfinder during my workday, and one day I spotted the picture of a beautiful 4-year-old collie up for adoption in Connecticut. I filled out the application and the rescue organization responded enthusiastically. But the owner would be the one to… Continue reading Time will tell / March 15, 2007