This blog is about life with my husband who was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer's and Frontal Lobe Dementia in 2008. He was 64 at the time although now, knowing more about the disease, Alzheimer's was present many, many years ago, which is why early detection is so important. As you read the blog the character "Al" that I created in 2008, represents the way that Alzheimer's is invading our daily lives.
There is an archive tab further down the page that starts from the beginning of our journey.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri has to try may different tactics to get "Al" undressed at night. She has learned the normal request does not work. "Al" will get frustrated since he feels he needs his clothes... for many reasons. So last night (creative gal that she is) she tried a different approach, remembering the success she had with the medical Id bracelet, she brought Bob back to the bedroom and said "I am cold can I use your shirt?" and wala shirt came off and Sheri handed him the pajama shirt and said "you can use this one". The jeans followed. Sheri has learned to think outside the norm... but it is trial and error for success  so Sheri looks at it as "game on!" :)

4 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. You are so very clever ... any tricks to help with getting my dad to take a shower?
      Thanks tons,
      Jennifer

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    2. Showers, boy can I relate! My husband Tom has very often resisted showers for over two years now. Sometimes he gets all the way down to removing underwear and backs out. He has even been entirely naked and then refused.

      Here are a few things that seemed to help on occasion: reduce noise I.e. the fan; I have a little heater so some heat and leave door open some; our bathroom is small so we take off all but shirt &underwear & socks then go in bathroom; distract with humming familiar tunes, sing a song he likes, have radio on in bedroom, talk about camping or grand kids or whatever...; brush teeth 1st, give him something to hold like a separate washcloth or loofa or pumice.

      That's all I can think of right now. Hope something helps!

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