Starting to fade
Today was the first day my dad didn't recognize me when I visited him at the Alzheimer's home. As I entered his room, I found him sitting on the side of the bed, head down. He appeared to be either asleep or deep in thought.
"Hi, Pops!" I said, causing him to look up and see me.
"Who's that?" he asked.
"It's me...Joe" I replied.
"Oh, I wasn't sure who you were," he said. "My mind is so mixed up and I guess I was thinking about something else when you came in."
After that, we had a nice conversation, but I noticed that I had to put a lot more things into context for him. For example, when I told him that Evelyn, my mother-in-law, had spent Thanksgiving with us, I had to remind him who she was and where she lived. Then he was able to put two and two together.
Even though I had just been to see him on Monday, he didn't seem to have any recollection of my last visit, the holiday last week or anything in the recent past. When I told him I had spoken to his sister Dorothy and brother-in-law Carl, he appeared happy to hear the latest about them.
One very positive note is that he has gotten accustomed to the facility he's at, stating that he likes it there. That's a major change since last month, when he was begging my brother Jeff and me to get him out of there. It's now become familiar to him, so his resistance to it has diminished.
"Hi, Pops!" I said, causing him to look up and see me.
"Who's that?" he asked.
"It's me...Joe" I replied.
"Oh, I wasn't sure who you were," he said. "My mind is so mixed up and I guess I was thinking about something else when you came in."
After that, we had a nice conversation, but I noticed that I had to put a lot more things into context for him. For example, when I told him that Evelyn, my mother-in-law, had spent Thanksgiving with us, I had to remind him who she was and where she lived. Then he was able to put two and two together.
Even though I had just been to see him on Monday, he didn't seem to have any recollection of my last visit, the holiday last week or anything in the recent past. When I told him I had spoken to his sister Dorothy and brother-in-law Carl, he appeared happy to hear the latest about them.
One very positive note is that he has gotten accustomed to the facility he's at, stating that he likes it there. That's a major change since last month, when he was begging my brother Jeff and me to get him out of there. It's now become familiar to him, so his resistance to it has diminished.
posted by Joe Wollet at 12:51 PM
1 Comments:
Joe - I've discovered your blog and enjoy reading it. You communicate clearly, honestly, and deeply, as always. I hope it helps as you seek your next position. Best wishes.
Joe, you will never regret a moment spent with your father. You are being a kind and dutiful son at a difficult time.
I recently started a blog called Stories of My Father, sharing moments and lessons I want my daughters and other family members to remember, or to learn for the first time.
Thanks also for your Scout work. Scouting needs friends like you. I am a merit badge counselor and committee member here. My best to you and those you love.
Warm regards,
stevendbriggs@hotmail.com
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