Today I am seriously thinking about writing a book. The title is already in my head. The title shall be "What to do with Grandma when she loses her mind." I have to laugh at what I go through to just do this simple blog and the other stuff I forget to do.
Some of you are aware that I took care of Gary's father who had Alzheimer's. For five years this man was living with us and it was difficult but we had so many laughs at his antics. I will have to share them in my book. We was a very kind man and never got nasty, which made it much easier to cope with.
My grandmother who lived for 20 some years with Alzheimer's lived to be 94. I remember her little antics too, like every time our dog passed by her chair in the living room she would ask "Who's dog is that?" Although it was very sad to watch, but many of the times funny, it is the reality of the disease that if we don't laugh, we will go nuts trying to take care of them. I chose to laugh so I could stay sane, while at the same time, I always humored them as well.
So I often think perhaps I am on the same path as they were and what would I want the people who take care of me to do with me. Thus the idea of the book. I hope I follow through with this
as it really could be a funny book. That would be my intention. That my family could read this book and know the things I love and treat me with them. For instance, I absolutely love it when someone like my grandchildren brush my hair. It's like petting a dog I think. The feeling I get while they are doing it is just therapudic. I will make sure to list the important things. Really nice long hot showers, etc. (From my experience, Grampa Bill and Grandma Margaret didn't like water on them. ) In this instance my caretakers will have to consult the experts. But you get the jist of what I'm saying.
Anyone out there have any funny tales? I might include them in my book if I actually write it.
Let me know.
Some of you are aware that I took care of Gary's father who had Alzheimer's. For five years this man was living with us and it was difficult but we had so many laughs at his antics. I will have to share them in my book. We was a very kind man and never got nasty, which made it much easier to cope with.
My grandmother who lived for 20 some years with Alzheimer's lived to be 94. I remember her little antics too, like every time our dog passed by her chair in the living room she would ask "Who's dog is that?" Although it was very sad to watch, but many of the times funny, it is the reality of the disease that if we don't laugh, we will go nuts trying to take care of them. I chose to laugh so I could stay sane, while at the same time, I always humored them as well.
So I often think perhaps I am on the same path as they were and what would I want the people who take care of me to do with me. Thus the idea of the book. I hope I follow through with this
as it really could be a funny book. That would be my intention. That my family could read this book and know the things I love and treat me with them. For instance, I absolutely love it when someone like my grandchildren brush my hair. It's like petting a dog I think. The feeling I get while they are doing it is just therapudic. I will make sure to list the important things. Really nice long hot showers, etc. (From my experience, Grampa Bill and Grandma Margaret didn't like water on them. ) In this instance my caretakers will have to consult the experts. But you get the jist of what I'm saying.
Anyone out there have any funny tales? I might include them in my book if I actually write it.
Let me know.
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Peggy,
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great idea! i agree with Marilyn, sometimes at the darkest moments when its easier to cry, laughter has healing qualities for sure. Your book sounds like something many of us could relate to. The last time I saw my great grandfather in a nursing home I was in 7th grade wearing a Winnie the Pooh t-shirt, and he had been a pastor of a church, so the only thing he could say to me was, "why aren't you in your Sunday best" (but it wasn't Sunday). I will never forget this moment, but if you don't laugh, you'll cry.
So glad that your computer woes are fixed. I love the concept of this book. It would be a great way to tell your grandchildren who you are/were and what you like, in a funny way. I wish now that I had asked my grandparents more questions. I was lucky to know them for a long time, but there are still things I don't know that I wonder about.
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