Which Way Now

The Alzheimer's walk is the 27th of September in the Champlain Valley, and at different times elsewhere, all through out the beginning of the beautiful Fall season. Virtual programs. Private walks. Weird times - stressful for many. I look forward to the walk with Patty, actually, any walk these days, albeit, shorter and shorter - precious times and simple pleasures.

I got to believe the Alzheimer's Association is going to have a stretch to reach their goal this year, considering these screwed up, pandemic and politically charged, times. Unfortunate, because the Alzheimer’s Association is a great support to people like me, a loving, and struggling Alzheimer’s care-giver. Help if you can - it’s needed and worth your time and money.

One of my go-to advisors, Richard Rohr, advises limiting your time agonizing with listening to strong dualistic political pandering, to just one hour a day, while using the freed up time to meditate about soul building values - caring, for instance - not soul sucking activities like futile, stressing, dualistic barbs with people that ‘freely’ (thank God for the freedom) think differently than the person on ‘the other side’. Reduce your ‘news’ view time and take a nice walk with love ones, for Alzheimer's. Pass on the good word about the power of caring.

The High Court Ginsburg - Scalia friendship and love of each other example, while fiercely disagreeing on major life and death issues, is now in the spotlight with RBG’s death. What a great legacy - loving and living together while arguing big life issues, listening with respect and knowledge, and acceptance, of separate realities - knowing that diversity of opinion is good, as is all diversity, with us imperfect people - we are all in this wonderful natural world together. “Why can’t we all just get along” and care about and respect all the living…. and dying!

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Alzheimer's Care

Alzheimer's - which way now? I have no idea. We are moving into the tenth year of Patty’s Alzheimer's. I’ve heard it is a seven to ten year certain journey. Now, I believe it is a seven to twelve year journey. I can’t imagine the end - can’t think about it now.

I do know, my care counts, and I feel good as I give it. It’s changed life for us. Although, the closest Patty has got to recognition of the change is, “something is not right”.

The changes seem more frequent now - more help dressing, showering (if we are lucky, once a month), and she doesn't even make the bed - something I thought she would never stop. The bed was the last house-help remaining!

The walks are short and slow. There is joint or muscle pain - I hope it is not PMR coming back. Patty has kicked out (literally) two care givers. Thankfully she is well connected and reliant on me. “Where’s Mike?” In the office. “Where’s the office?” Across the hall. The other day she tried to dry her fleece using the stove top.

The need for constant care is clear. It’s not destructive to me, to the contrary, I am benefiting by feeling my caring and loving the moment - each precious moment.