Welcome!

This is a journal of our lives with my mom, affectionately known as Little Mama. In her 90's, she is a sweet, spunky, spirited, sometimes exasperating, tiny little lady that now lives with moderate dementia and macular degeneration. These journal entries show the good times and the not-so-good times.

Little Mama's type of dementia is age-related and is not hereditary. Sometimes, she appears to be perfectly normal. Other times, it is obvious that something is amiss. It is her desire to remain in our home rather than live out her days in an assisted living facility. It is my prayer that we will be able to honor her in this way. We feel blessed...and challenged...that she lives in our home. This is not easy, and important things rarely are easy. It takes an emotional and physical toll on the caregivers. I've been through the 7 stages of grief at least once if not more! If you are in a similar situation, you understand what I mean! Fortunately, our family helps a lot both physically and emotionally. It takes a team.

The fourth commandment tells us to honor our parents. That is done in many different ways. If you are struggling with a decision, please pray and ask for guidance and wisdom. Our Lord will let you know how He wants you to honor them. Regardless of the way you honor your loved ones, you will need support. So build your team, whether it is from members of your family or a support group.

I am finally learning that: I can't fix it. I can't change it. All I can do is accept it, trust God, and roll with it. (My condensed version of the Serenity Prayer.) We are learning to relax, laugh, and savor every moment we have with my mom on this side of Heaven.

So, scroll down.... read the entries...laugh and cry with us.

Blessings!
Lisa

















Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Oh, MY!!

Oh, My! Oh, me, oh my! Have you any idea how dirty your house can get when you have a loved one with dementia that is "cleaning" her room and bathroom? Not only dementia...but macular degeneration so she can't see what is dirty?? And to top it off, you can't clean while she is here because, you see, it is HER job! And she gets her feelings hurt and all out of sorts if you go behind her and do it.

Thank you, dear Jesus, for my brother and sister in law this week! Other family members have helped at other times - but that was before this blog :) Thanks also for Chrissy and Michael and to Missy and Chris for helping at other times.

Not only is it dirty, but you find things in the strangest places. If you live with an elderly person with dementia, you know what I'm a-talkin' about. I just finished her bathroom. Please be sure to check to see just what your loved one is bathing or showering with. Is she using the toilet brush to scrub her back? Perhaps she took a baby's toothbrush and is brushing her teeth with it. Hmm.... when she is otherwise occupied, check it out.

Break's over!

Blessings to all!
Lisa
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