Wander Woman-Alzheimer’s in the Family

Yesterday started at 7:00 AM and it seemed to be a pretty good day although Mom thought it was 2013. She was excited about getting her hair did. When she returned home she looked beautiful, thank you Jackie.

I needed to go to town to pick up her prescriptions. Mom decided to go with me although she couldn’t remember where I was going. We took off to town for an adventure. Little did I know what an adventure it would be. We picked up the meds and headed to her favorite store for a little shopping. Shopping for me is picking up needed items. Shopping for her is hanging on to a cart for stability and looking, never buying.

We were shopping together and I was putting things in the cart. Journals, new pins, grocery items. Mom was just looking and looking. She asked me to get some storage containers from the top shelf. In the time it took to turn and get them she was gone. Three seconds tops. I called and looked for her but she was no where to be found.

I went to store management and asked them to page her and gave a description, including what she was wearing. They paged several times and I continued to look. Employees were helping me search for her. I was beginning to feel a little panicked and almost ready to call the police when we found her wandering and oblivious. 12 minutes of being scared for my Mom.

I had her stand beside me as we checked out and went to the car. She had no idea of the scare she put us through. Our fun adventure was over and we headed home.

I spent a couple of hours researching GPS items so we can track her it she wanders again. And. It will happen even with constant vigilance. I want to be prepared. This is what is being ordered:

When we got home I was exhausted but needed to cook dinner. I sautéed chicken breast with onion and stir fried squash, garlic, bok choy, and mushrooms. It was the first time Mom had ever eaten bok choy and she liked it a lot. She actually ate everything on her plate. She told me the meal was so good and that I was a better cook than she. She said it sincerely and with love. Looked like the day was ending on a better note.

Soon after the meal she began to cry. I asked her what was wrong and in a minute of clarity she said, “I didn’t want to go out this way.” We talked about it for a bit with me reassuring her that we would be okay. And. Just like that she forgot about it. The rest of the night was uneventful.

Today we started our day at 7AM. She remembered how to make coffee and had it ready when I came to the kitchen. She had a burst of energy so “we” washed her sheets, made her bed and were just putzing around doing odds and ends when she FELL.

I was right there with her but she wouldn’t let me help her up. In her stubbornness she fell forward the second time. She will be sore but nothing appears to be broken. She laid on the floor for a few minutes at my insistence. I could not get her up. Luckily Jackie was at the beauty shop next door and she came to help me. We got her up and into her chair and told her to sit there a while. Mom complied.

Mom’ cousins Glenda and Eugene were coming and bringing lunch (lunch was delicious thank you Glenda and Eugene). Mom was doing better but we all noticed that she was talking like a little girl and pouty. It is almost 3 PM and she’s still talking like a little girl and pouting. She is being quiet and withdrawn.

Each day is different and there are some difficult moments. We meet each of the days with love and patience. As it should be.

More later.