Today while I was flipping channels on the tv, I came across a news item about how they have prepared a mockup of the interior of a spaceship that will be going to Mars or some other very faraway place. They are going to have a couple of people live in this mockup without contact with the outside world, just the two of them (I think) for the length of time that the space voyage would take.
I was listening to them talk about the isolation—just the two of them in this thing, without outside contact, and I thought “That’s my life!” DH and I are alone together in our “spaceship” for just about 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A big difference is that we have no idea what time our spaceship will arrive at its destination, and we don’t have a dedicated team supporting us so we arrive safe and healthy. We’re also not given a hero’s welcome when we get back to the world.
Okay, I know this was a strange topic, but it really did strike me how much my life as a caregiver parallels a space voyage.
Well what the heck! Save the money, Space Agency, just get all of us AD Caregivers to answer any questions they have. No one believes that I fill my gasoline tank about once every two months or so. My son insists I put gasoline in just to keep it from geting stale.
Nancy B I'm never sure when to change my oil. Car is 2 1/2 years old and has 11,000 miles on it. Two trips from Florida to Ohio put most of the mileage on it. Hey guys is it ok to wait 6 months between oil changes.
It gives both but with my limited milage the figures are miles apart. I live alone-the reason for the low mileage is that the farthest store is only a 6 mile round trip and I usually walk it. Visits to Bill take up most of the mileage.
Bluedaze, I drive a mid sized Mercedes and they changed the oil the first time at 5,000 miles then every 20,000 miles as long as we use the synthetic oil. I have a "dealy" on the dash that tells me when an oil change or service is due...and I just let it be in charge of its own self! If it doesn't "ask", it doesn't "get". How's that. I haven't hit 50,000 miles yet and it's a 2002. I drove back and forth from Texas to South Carolina at least ten times years back. For the last few years, it stays parked in the garage.
They used to say we should buy used cars from little old church ladies in Pasadena, I would add that a better buy would be an Alzheimer's cargiver's personal car.
bluedaze, oil change every six months should be sufficient. That's what I do with our truck, which is mostly used to haul stuff on the proprty and thus not driven much. That is what was recommended by a mechanic I trust as the dealership where we bought the truck, since mileage would not be an adequate guideline.
My new GM car has an Oil Life Indicator, it is programed to estimate the oil life based on your actual automobile use. I go 5000 miles between changes on regular oil, this mirrors the manufacturer's reccomendations. My beloved two seater (now sold) required synthetic oil, I never put more than 5000 miles a year on it, I did change the oil once a year whether I drove the required mileage or not.
Thanks for the advise. I use only synthetic oil and will continue to have it changed 2xyr. Notice is said have it changed. That is one task I don't want.
Hi Jan. That is one of the best parrallels I have heard. I'm anxious to hear how they feel about the loss of so much of their conversation opportunaties.