JOAN’S BLOG – MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2011 – PREPARING FOR A SUBSTITUTE CAREGIVER – NOT A SIMPLE MATTER

After awhile, no matter which stage of Alzheimer’s Disease our spouses are in, our caregiving duties sneak up on us a little at a time, gradually becoming routine and “normal”.  Although I dread the days surely to come, that will require me to handle my husband’s bathing, dressing, shaving, and feeding, I am guessing, from your message board posts, that I will settle into a routine. Not necessarily a routine I will like, but one I will have no choice but to accept.

I cannot worry about that now. I have more immediate concerns, given my surgery 4 weeks from now. It occurred to me that I will need to write down instructions for my sister, not on how to care for me, but on how to care for Sid. It was when I started to compose the list, that I realized how complex his care is, even without having to do his ADL’s (activities of daily living). Have you ever stopped to consider how much would be on that list if you were forced to write one?

First, are the mental challenges. Just speaking to him is a project. One must get his attention, talk in no more than 2 short simple sentences at once, giving him extra time to concentrate and process what is being said. Then one must assume that 5 minutes later, he will forget what was said, and it will have to be repeated. All day; every day. I would imagine it would be a bit of an adjustment to someone who is not used to it. He has to be reminded to take his glucose levels and to eat. It is my job to determine what he eats, based upon those glucose levels. I will need to write down all of the level numbers and type of food for my sister. He has no idea, and would not remember anyway. He also has to be told at least 2-3 times in the morning, where he is going for the day. He does nothing without being reminded.

Then there are the physical challenges. Due to his fractured knees, painful back, and weak legs, his meals have to be prepared and set up for him, so he is not required to move around very much. I do insist that he make himself a sandwich, in order to get up and get some movement. There is also the bone stimulator ultrasound machine that has to be used on his knees every day. I will have to teach my sister how to use it.
In preparation for my sister’s arrival, I also have to make sure Sid’s medication boxes are filled, so she does not have to try to figure out the dispensing of 17 different pills. She will, however, have to know whether to give him his suppertime diabetes pill, depending upon his glucose levels. I will include that in the glucose level list.

Keeping in mind that I am a double duty caregiver, I will need to make lists related to my father. Although he resides in the ALF next door, I am his care manager, and there is always something that needs attention.

Wow, I guess I had better get started on those lists. It may be a good idea for all of you to be prepared in case you are incapacitated. Based upon my new found experience in this matter, I would suggest that everyone list their caregiving duties………….just in case. I think you will be surprised at how much work you do; work to which you have become so accustomed, you do not realize how overwhelming it would be for someone else to step into your place.

MESSAGE BOARD TOPIC: Joan's Monday Blog - Preparing for a Substitute Caregiver

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