Things at my house go so much smoother when there is a bit of humor in the air. You know how, after a really funny joke and a hearty long laugh, the tension clears and the mood is lighter and thnghs are just so much easier. Anyone have any tips for facilitating laughter, cause I need ideas. If I can coax a giggle out of my hubby it makes us both feel better for a while. A couple of months ago when I took my guy grocery shopping he wanted to try riding one of those scooter carts cause he's heart/breathing problems and diabetic neuropathy. So I'm thinking "oh, boy, another giant pain in the butt" and he sat down in the scooter , tried to get it to go and when it did, the sight of him driving in this thing like Mr. Magoo just sent me laughing hysterically until I cried. People were staring and me, but I did'nt care I just needed the laugh so bad and the rest of the day was gravey. And I snapped a picture of him driving that thing so now I look at it when I need a boost.
My wife used that scooter once, and crashed into an end cap of tomato soup cans....they went rolling all over the store, and the cart got stuck....I laughed so hard, and watched all the stock boys chasing all the cans....It was so funny, that they now kid my wife not to drive into the walls of the aisles.....
Check out the "Humor" section on the left side of the home page - www.thealzheimerspouse.com. Every story was sent in by a member. There are some really funny ones in there.
We also have two huge Giggles and Jokes discussions - that's how much we love to laugh! I read some of them out loud, and my husband will smile from ear to ear!
Phranque, I think grocers have a sick sense of humor. The produce manager stacks oranges or apples and other prduce up so high I'm afraid if I pick up one, they will all come cascading down. The boxes of cereal they stack into pyramids on the ends of the aisles are another huge problem!! When crazed women with AD husbands waiting in the car make swift u turns at the "END" of the aisle, those cereal boxes are NOT SUPPOSED TO BE THERE!! I have suggested they put the mirrors used in traffic intersections up on the ends of the aisles so we can see if there is another cart coming our way. Grocery shopping is NOT for sissies.
I just had to laugh, My husband was brushing his teeth, all of a sudden he started laughing, he said, "look that guy has on the same shirt as me" he was looking at himself in the mirror. Funny, but also sad.
kadee its a double edged sword isnt it? you want to cry over the loss they dont recognise themselves- but at the same time grateful to hear them happy and smiling about something-anything.
the first times i saw this happen i would observe from a short distance and slink away thinking OMG, how devastating to hear him talking to himself. it disturbed me alot-
now after a few yrs of it, i find it ingratiating and love to hear his antics in the mirror.:) i even go up to the mirror and encourage more interactions, haah. aka 'look that guys got a beautiful head of silver hair like you!" or 'i'll say, goodnite to 'everyone' on the way to the bedroom at nite, and he always does too and waves:)... awwww divvi
It just dawned on me....DW has done a similar thing. Laying in the hosp. bed with it raised up a bit, she can see herself in the mirror over her make-up table. She smiled and waved at the mirror and even giggled. I didn't think anything of it, but now I can see she probably didn't know it was her. Strange.
Oh, how I wish my DH liked the man in the mirror. He absolutely despises him. Gets very upset and worries that he is going to hurt me. He goes all over the house looking for him. There are 5 big mirrors that he passes and thinks he is being followed. I would say that is one big problem at my house. I thought about putting a plastic film over the one in his bathroom but I am afraid moisture would build up under it and ruin the mirror.
bama, is your DH able to look at a photo of himself without getting angry? maybe if you give him a blowup pic and leave it out he may get more used to the face? i have heard of AD persons getting violent over mirror images, which makes it very difficult of course. to them it may appear a total stranger is in the house and scare them since they dont recognise themselves.
there may be a washable clear paint that could be applied over the glass to distort the image or there is a sticky contact like clear plastic that can be taken off and reput after cleaning. divvi
divvi...He talks to photos and magazine covers. Incontinent issues are now happening and I just don't know how long I can keep doing this with my back. It's heck to get old but it beats the alternative. I don't like to post if I cannot be positive but sometimes I do. Nobody wants to talk to a whinny old lady. Tomorrow I am going to smile (no, I am starting right now) and make the mouth turn up instead of down. I will survive with Gods help.
Bama, you are not a whinny old Lady; but if you were, we'd all be here talking to you anyway! I don't see how you do what you do, particularly with your back. Do you have any help at all? And I love your smile! :)))
Bama, if you consider that being whinny, you don't know what that means...many of us could give lessons in it :-) Surely myself included. My terrific Doc told me it is NOT being whinny to reach for support...just practical and good for your blood pressure!
My DH decided to ballet dance through the grocery store on Monday. They play loud music, and I guess he was inspired. I just pretended I didn't know him. He had fun, no harm, no foul! =)
diane v i can see that. what a hoot. like when mine peed all over the cheetos in isle 17...:) nope dont know him! haha..
bama you should smile, We ALL should try to smile more- nothing gained out of frowning all the time:) and we will listen any way, whining or not!!
by the way, i just had poo patrol myself and i swear it makes it easier to see the lighter side of life during these times!. of course it helps that DH is funny and keeps looking at me all the while i am cursing and saying .. "HELLO?????? trying to get me to smile! ha. divvi
Bama, how wonderful that your DH still reads so well, and is able to follow the instructions on the sign. LOL! Keep your chin up, girlfriend, and whine away at the same time. (Good trick if you can manage it.) We're here for you.
folly, he is not reading and I don't have the sign up. It was among a lot of signs in one of those forwards that we get in e-mail. I thought it was funny and fit all of our situations. I am usually optimistic and like all us southern girls, if life hands us a lemon we put it in out sweet tea.
Bama, I know what you mean about your back going out if you lean over much. Me too only it's my knee. I haven't had my husband peeing anywhere but the toilet (and its surround) and the Depends, but we have an ancient cat who will pee where she wishes (usually in the kitchen) if I don't let her out. After 20 years, I'm not going to put her down until she's worse off, but something has to be done. I have found that I can use paper towels thown on the floor and sortof skated on to clean up pee. And then spray Nature's Miracle to take out any smell. Really minimum bending over.
Bama, you said < I don't like to post if I cannot be positive but sometimes I do. Nobody wants to talk to a whinny old lady.>
I feel the same way. I want to be able to help others when they come here with questions; I want to share what is happening and has happened to us, in case it helps others. However, I sometimes just feel it is better if I don't post what I'm feeling.
If given the choice between laughter and crying, I'll choose laughter every time!
I have a wonderful lady coming in 4 hours a day, twice a week. This lets me run errands and buy groceries. He likes her but still gets antsy if I am gone long. As I posted yesterday I moved a twin bed into his room so I'll know when he gets up. You wont believe this but he got up 3 times and I did not hear him. I found him in the bathroom twice standing there and not knowing what to do and the third time about 3 am missing. After searching the house I found him in the garage bare footed looking out the window. He never goes out there and he is always so afraid he will fall that he pretty well stays in his recliner. So much for me being in the room.....Things are really going downhill here.
Bama, that is why I got a door knob on the bedroom door (our bathroom is adjoining) that you can lock from either side and I keep the key in my pocket. That way he can't leave the bedroom/bathroom if I fail to hear him. It allowed me to sleep a little more soundly.