There are several stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Progression through the stages isn’t an exact science. Each person’s decline is impacted by numerous factors to include other health issues and environmental conditions. Stages can often overlap too. Over 7 months ago, a doctor told me, “Today is the best it will be. It doesn’t get better.” Disheartening, yet oh so very true.
If you are interested in learning more about the stages of this disease, check out: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_stages_of_alzheimers.asp
Etta is unable to walk and spends her time either in a wheelchair or her bed. She is incontinent. She doesn’t know when she last went to the bathroom and she can’t tell you when she has to go again. She requires assistance to get dressed. She is unable to perform most any activity that requires use of her fine motor skills. For example, she carries a compact mirror in her purse. Two rubber bands placed across the mirror prevent it from snapping closed. Not only does she not remember how to open the mirror, she just can’t physically manipulate her fingers to push the ends while pulling apart. She typically knows what month it is- in part because she has a large, colorful wall calendar hung within her line of sight. While she loves a good meal, she doesn’t usually recall when she last ate. Her sleeping patterns are often confused which translates into many nights in which she is awake. Just last night, she was scooting around in her wheelchair from 1:00am to 4:00am. The nurse told me she was in her nightgown but was sure to put on a scarf and lipstick before leaving her room! I wouldn’t expect anything else!
Etta does not ask where she is or why she hasn’t gone home. Nor does she realize how long she has been there. She doesn’t question who is taking care of her house, bills, etc. In fact, when she does mention her house, she boasts about how beautiful it is! She has mentioned to me that when she does go home, she hopes I will still be able to help her. A few days ago she said, “I’m counting on you, Jeannie. If I go home later today, and I think I just might, will you come too?” To this I respond, “You CAN count on me and YES, I will always be with you.”
While visiting today, I brought supplies along to make a spring wreath with her and for her. Though very agitated when I arrived, she was absolutely overjoyed when we were done with our little project. I then proceeded to take down her heart window clings and replace them with bunnies, butterflies, and cute little chicks. During our conversation, I intentionally kept referring to spring and Easter. However, her inability to make the connection to the season and the decorations was evident when she asked, “What holiday do we celebrate next? Do you know?” I told her she could pick one of the following: Easter/Spring, July 4th, or Thanksgiving. She was clearly perplexed and said, “You really don’t know either, do you?” I just had to giggle and change the subject. LOL!
Etta also asked me if I had seen my uncle Roger today. I did just talk to him so I told her about that conversation. She then told me that he had been there to visit her just the day before. She was tickled to tell me how he came so far to see her. She said, “One of the girls came to get me because there was a Roger Jennings here to see me! I just figured you knew he was here…that maybe ya’ll were practicing for the race.” I shared in her excitement over Roger’s alleged visit and was anxious to tell him about it too.
Here are a couple of other recent moments of confusion:
My dear friend was visiting Etta just a few days ago. When Etta saw LeAnn, she didn’t remember who she was. Granted, LeAnn has not seen Etta in nearly 2 months. LeAnn refreshed her memory and Etta apparently remembered her by the clues LeAnn shared. LeAnn told me that Etta said, “Oh, too bad, James was just here and you missed him.” This is the first time I have heard Etta speak of James as still alive.
Etta informed me that it was very important that she always have her purse with her. She said, "Since I am a reporter, I need this purse because it has my notepad
The next day when I was visiting Etta, her understanding of the roles of other family members was distorted. She asked me how long ago my mother died (she is still alive and recently visited Etta). She asked me if my father died before or after her (same as my mom). She asked me if my sister, for which she did not know her name, had remarried yet and was concerned if she had not since she was in her 40’s (my sister has never been married and is 25 years old). She asked me to tell her about my 1st husband and if my 2nd one treats me well (I’ve been married to my “1st” for almost 14 years). Somehow, I always find a way to answer in a way that doesn’t correct her statements or make her feel wrong. I pray, oh how I pray, that she doesn’t forget who I am and that should that day come, God would help comfort her heart and mine.
If you are interested in learning more about the stages of this disease, check out: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_stages_of_alzheimers.asp
Etta is unable to walk and spends her time either in a wheelchair or her bed. She is incontinent. She doesn’t know when she last went to the bathroom and she can’t tell you when she has to go again. She requires assistance to get dressed. She is unable to perform most any activity that requires use of her fine motor skills. For example, she carries a compact mirror in her purse. Two rubber bands placed across the mirror prevent it from snapping closed. Not only does she not remember how to open the mirror, she just can’t physically manipulate her fingers to push the ends while pulling apart. She typically knows what month it is- in part because she has a large, colorful wall calendar hung within her line of sight. While she loves a good meal, she doesn’t usually recall when she last ate. Her sleeping patterns are often confused which translates into many nights in which she is awake. Just last night, she was scooting around in her wheelchair from 1:00am to 4:00am. The nurse told me she was in her nightgown but was sure to put on a scarf and lipstick before leaving her room! I wouldn’t expect anything else!
Etta does not ask where she is or why she hasn’t gone home. Nor does she realize how long she has been there. She doesn’t question who is taking care of her house, bills, etc. In fact, when she does mention her house, she boasts about how beautiful it is! She has mentioned to me that when she does go home, she hopes I will still be able to help her. A few days ago she said, “I’m counting on you, Jeannie. If I go home later today, and I think I just might, will you come too?” To this I respond, “You CAN count on me and YES, I will always be with you.”
While visiting today, I brought supplies along to make a spring wreath with her and for her. Though very agitated when I arrived, she was absolutely overjoyed when we were done with our little project. I then proceeded to take down her heart window clings and replace them with bunnies, butterflies, and cute little chicks. During our conversation, I intentionally kept referring to spring and Easter. However, her inability to make the connection to the season and the decorations was evident when she asked, “What holiday do we celebrate next? Do you know?” I told her she could pick one of the following: Easter/Spring, July 4th, or Thanksgiving. She was clearly perplexed and said, “You really don’t know either, do you?” I just had to giggle and change the subject. LOL!
Etta also asked me if I had seen my uncle Roger today. I did just talk to him so I told her about that conversation. She then told me that he had been there to visit her just the day before. She was tickled to tell me how he came so far to see her. She said, “One of the girls came to get me because there was a Roger Jennings here to see me! I just figured you knew he was here…that maybe ya’ll were practicing for the race.” I shared in her excitement over Roger’s alleged visit and was anxious to tell him about it too.
Here are a couple of other recent moments of confusion:
My dear friend was visiting Etta just a few days ago. When Etta saw LeAnn, she didn’t remember who she was. Granted, LeAnn has not seen Etta in nearly 2 months. LeAnn refreshed her memory and Etta apparently remembered her by the clues LeAnn shared. LeAnn told me that Etta said, “Oh, too bad, James was just here and you missed him.” This is the first time I have heard Etta speak of James as still alive.
Etta informed me that it was very important that she always have her purse with her. She said, "Since I am a reporter, I need this purse because it has my notepad
The next day when I was visiting Etta, her understanding of the roles of other family members was distorted. She asked me how long ago my mother died (she is still alive and recently visited Etta). She asked me if my father died before or after her (same as my mom). She asked me if my sister, for which she did not know her name, had remarried yet and was concerned if she had not since she was in her 40’s (my sister has never been married and is 25 years old). She asked me to tell her about my 1st husband and if my 2nd one treats me well (I’ve been married to my “1st” for almost 14 years). Somehow, I always find a way to answer in a way that doesn’t correct her statements or make her feel wrong. I pray, oh how I pray, that she doesn’t forget who I am and that should that day come, God would help comfort her heart and mine.