Operation ‘Move Dad Closer’ gets into full swing tomorrow

[oldE]

Hope your trip home is smooth. How does/did your Dad like flying?
Keep us posted when you can.

Best
Les

[oldE]

I would imagine you're in Calgary by now, helping your Dad settled in his new digs.
It is going to be hard on him and by extension, hard on you too.
Thinking of you guys.

Best
Les

[unclebilly]

Things went WAY better than I expected. The only hiccup was that the flight was delayed and the airline staff were confused and didn’t realize that dad was the one that needed assistance boarding the plane (they helped some other old lady instead)…

Leaving Nanaimo hospital for the first time in 4.5 months.



On the plane…



In his new home…



So far, he really likes the place and said that the food is excellent. I left my brother with him and will stop by to see him in the morning. He was amazed that a bunch of the artwork from his house was there and couldn’t figure out how we did that. The staff is very welcoming, he now has a GP again, and I’m hoping to hell that this all works out.

[908/930]

Good to hear that it is working out well. At least you are close now vs 1000 km away.

[rwest]

He looks really healthy in the picture (you too!)

Best luck to you both, hopefully the good days are longer and more frequent than the bad ones.

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

They don't remember if they've eaten, taken their drugs, where the bathroom is (let alone not recognizing when they need to use it, or even how to use it). Name about anything a fully functioning person does on a daily basis and dementia victims eventually can't do it.
I remember sitting with my father while eating lunch. He was playing with his mashed potatoes like a 6 month old baby. He didn't seem to recognize the food.

My dad would get in the car and start driving and get lost. We would find out when the police catch him speeding or driving erratically and call us. Sometimes it takes them all day to find out who he is and who to call.

Mom started hiding his keys, but he always managed to get a hold of keys. I started unhooking the battery, but he figured that out pretty fast. I finally put a completely shot battery in the car. He put a charger on it, but it wouldn't take a charge. That finally put an end to his roaming in the car, so he started leaving on foot.

They have to be watched 24/7. Even in a care facility with locked doors my dad managed to escape twice. Once he was hit by a car and ended up in the ICU.
In the mid-stages of his decline my dad was forgetful, but not stupid. He could figure out how to jump start a car or escape from a locked building.

Thanks for sharing. Sounds like a progression. The person you describe who doesn't recognize food sounds very different than someone figuring out how to find hidden keys and sidestep your car battery prevention measures.

Not knowing they need to go to the bathroom and/or not knowing how is hard to fathom. Is that only in the most advanced stages?

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

They no longer have the stability to get into a bath or shower. They are too forgetful to clock and clean so they leave the stove or oven on for sometimes days. Sometimes water gets left on and places flood. No mobility for stairs. Forget to take meds.

What are some things that happen during a bad day ?

Falls and hips breaking, falls and concussions, don’t take meds and diabetic emergencies to name a few we have experienced in the past year.

I was not aware that Alz. has a significant physical frailty component. Are the things you're describing actually Alz. or just coincident to advanced age?

[oldE]

Sugarwood, There are many manifestations of alzheimer's and dementia. Frailty can be directly attributed to lack of exercise from either malnutrition or being under nourished ( from forgetting to eat) or through arthritis making movement difficult. However frailty may not be observed. Very active patients will maintain good physical health.
One of my SILs is cheerful, can do simple tasks and will ask the same questions every few minutes. Other than not being able to retain and process new information, she seems perfectly healthy.

Unclebilly, glad to see the Eagle has landed.

Best
Les

[unclebilly]

Trouble is that they don’t recognize their reduced mobility so try to do things they once did with ease…

[masraum]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

Things went WAY better than I expected. The only hiccup was that the flight was delayed and the airline staff were confused and didn’t realize that dad was the one that needed assistance boarding the plane (they helped some other old lady instead)…

In his new home…



So far, he really likes the place and said that the food is excellent. I left my brother with him and will stop by to see him in the morning. He was amazed that a bunch of the artwork from his house was there and couldn’t figure out how we did that. The staff is very welcoming, he now has a GP again, and I’m hoping to hell that this all works out.

This is outstanding news. I hope things continue to go well for you and your dad.

[rfuerst911sc]

Great to hear things went smoothly . Getting your dad into assisted living was a wise choice . He will be monitored and watched . He can make new friends . These places generally have a lot of social activities as well . My MIL has been in a assisted living facility coming up on 2 years . She is very comfortable and well cared for . Good luck with a pain free journey with your dad.

[unclebilly]

Well, it’s been 4 weeks. Dad is comfortable in the new place but has not completely settled in yet. When he’s lucid, he asks about going home and getting out of there. He refuses to follow instructions from the OT so isn’t getting any better in the walking department. The place he is at is excellent, his doctor is switched on and getting his meds sorted out… some of the meds he was on made no sense. We see him several times per week. I’d like to take him out to a jazz concert at some point. We will see how the next month goes.

[billybek]

Good to hear.
My mom had some meds changed up a while back and it really made a difference.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

Well, it’s been 4 weeks. Dad is comfortable in the new place but has not completely settled in yet. When he’s lucid, he asks about going home and getting out of there. He refuses to follow instructions from the OT so isn’t getting any better in the walking department. The place he is at is excellent, his doctor is switched on and getting his meds sorted out… some of the meds he was on made no sense. We see him several times per week. I’d like to take him out to a jazz concert at some point. We will see how the next month goes.

It's great to hear some good news. I hope it continues. Have a good one!

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

Things went WAY better than I expected. The only hiccup was that the flight was delayed and the airline staff were confused and didn’t realize that dad was the one that needed assistance boarding the plane (they helped some other old lady instead)…

Leaving Nanaimo hospital for the first time in 4.5 months.



On the plane…



In his new home…



So far, he really likes the place and said that the food is excellent. I left my brother with him and will stop by to see him in the morning. He was amazed that a bunch of the artwork from his house was there and couldn’t figure out how we did that. The staff is very welcoming, he now has a GP again, and I’m hoping to hell that this all works out.

Billy, I'm really glad this appears to be working out. Having been thru this with my mom, this not a happy ending experience. My mom died in 98 after 4 years of decline. I miss her every day. I was broken when she ceased to remember who I was. I never got closure and it still bothers me to this day.

My best to you and be strong. I hope you have a family support structure because it really helps in making decisions and just being there for each other.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

He was amazed that a bunch of the artwork from his house was there and couldn’t figure out how we did that.

Excellent. THAT is number #1 for dementia. Familiarity. It may be a different room in a different building in a different part of the world surrounded by different people. But somehow it all still feels the same. Home. My home. My stuff. My lands. Plug in a simple phone with you on speed dial and write instructions next to it.

#2 is the feeling of self reliance and control. The ability to go to the bathroom and feed oneself and move around, even if in a chair. I've seen a couple of old men making military march time on the street after they escaped. One was followed by a desperate nurse in a car. The other I called into the police for a wellness check after passing a squad car. The need to explore as far as possible is NEVER diminished. Care patients will wait by elevators and try to con visitors to let them out. So if the facility allows this, try to schedule long trips outside. You or a nurse. Whatever. Take advantage of the good weather mornings and evenings.

#3 is goal. Something to achieve. To stay busy. Group art. Kick ball sessions. A raised bed gardening area. Art at the other side of the facility. A circular walk route (never there and back). Bridge. Book review club. Walking groups. Whatever. Stay social and active.
(This actually makes the facility more profitable)

[sc_rufctr]

Great news! This is good stuff. Well done to everyone involved.