Some have asked if we could use your Help!!

I'm often asked by many of you, our friends, what you can do to help(?). It's hard for me to answer that some of the time. I've been encouraged to make a little list, (below). If you find it in your heart to choose from this list, or if it gives you another idea, we'll love and appreciate you even more! I have a Helper (from Ghana) that comes over three days a week for a few hours. She cooks lunch and does the laundry and other light housekeeping. But mostly, she entertains Carol by looking at pictures, or playing with her 3 month old baby boy that Carol loves. But Carol does not like it when I leave for any reason (except maybe a Doctors visit) and is angry when I get back. Almost not worth it. But Carol does like to:

Go to movies
Drive around the county
Drive through residential neighborhoods.
And of course go to Church.
She likes to eat out and her manners are not embarrassing, just a little slow
She likes people to come by and visit (but conversation is almost impossible)
She likes to look at any kind of picture. Mildred brought her pic’s of her mission trip to Ghana
I could use any kind of meal, (casserole, salad, sandwich, etc.) for evenings.
I also need conversation with other adults but that is hard because Carol wants to be included.

If you would like to help and any of these items appeal to you, I am sure open. Alzheimer’s is very hard on the Caregiver. The constant attention it requires is never ending. And it is so sad to see the one you love loose her brain right in front of you. Ronald Reagans daughter wrote the book “THE LONG GOODBYE!” which is very appropriate. We still have hope but it is not because of any cure that is even on the horizon. We hope they find it sooner rather than later.

Thank you, Carol and Bill

MIRACLE MEMORY

Today, I took Carol to the movie about Julia Childs. As we were walking from handicap parking, around the bldg to the theater entrance, Carol pulled an old memory out of her brain. When we were still about 20 yards to the few stairs, Carol reminded me that " right up in front is where you fell before" (or something like that!) The fall did happen but it was 2 yrs ago last Jan. There is nothing even close to this old memory that she remembers. When we got to the stairs, I pointed to the placed I fell and she seemed to agree. It was a very dramatic occasion. I was bleeding badly and had sore knee and arm. Someone called 911 and we were transported to the emergency room. Presbyterian Hosp, Rockwall, sent me and ambulance to Presby. Dallas because their MRI machine was out of order. Presby decided that main damage was a broken nose, but no concussion or skull damage. Guess that shows what a hard head I am. I thought I had damage to my right eye but Dr finally decided that it was Macular Degeneration. Thought you would get a better understanding of what Carol might have remembered. She does recogonize pictures of family members, especially her mother, father and of course her siblings and her children.




If you want to leave a comment, just click on the comment below and look at bottom of screen for an open box. Would love to hear from you. bill