JOAN’S WEEKEND BLOG – JUNE 26/27, 2010 – FAMILY INVASION – KEEP TO THE ROUTINE TO KEEP THE PEACE

On Sunday, we are going to be invaded by a whirlwind. A joyous whirlwind , but a whirlwind nonetheless. My sister, brother-in-law, their youngest son and his wife, along with their 15 month old baby are coming for a 2 ½ day visit. My sister had this trip planned for many months, but when my nephew and his wife realized that my father was living here now, they wanted to come, so he could see his great-grand daughter again. Last August, they brought her to RI, thinking that it would be the one and only time he would get to see her before he died. None of us ever imagined that it would be 82 year-old Great Grandma who would be gone less than a year later, with 92 year-old Great Grandpa still going strong.

Now, how does one keep a husband with Alzheimer’s Disease AND a broken foot calm in the middle of such a storm? My plan is to “keep to the routine” as much as possible. He gets upset, and then angry, when he does not know where he is going, what he is going to be doing, and when it is going to happen. Change and unpredictability are not friends of someone with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Monday morning, Sid has physical therapy, and Monday afternoon is his dominoes game day with his Alzheimer buddies. Rather than try to drag him around to places unknown, as we have no set plans, I decided, and he agreed, that he would go as usual to PT and his dominoes game day. In the evening, we will all go out to dinner together (This auntie is NOT cooking! ), and he will be fine with that.

Tuesday will be spontaneous, another ominous word for someone with Alzheimer’s Disease. If it involves the beach (an impossibility for Sid and his broken foot), boating, touring, or shopping, I will let him sit in his recliner and watch TV as he always does, while everyone runs around. He will be much happier and far less confused if he is left to his regular TV routine.

If we go to our pool, which the doctor has also vetoed for him, he and my father, who hates the heat, can either sit in the shade or watch TV in the clubhouse. We will all go out to dinner again in the evening or Auntie Joan will offer her version of cooking for a crowd – ORDER PIZZA!

This is a good plan. Keep to the routine as much as possible. It will cut down on Sid’s confusion and anger, which will allow me to enjoy my cute little great niece and the rest of my company.

Oh, and in case you were wondering – NO – they are not staying here. There is a Residence Inn down the street. That is my new guest house.  

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