Through this stretch of really HOT & HUMID weather, I am truly befuddled. D will sit on the front porch (a covered porch) from the time after breakfast till it's time to eat, then back out to the porch, in to eat, then out again till well after dark. He couldn't be convinced to put shorts on for quite a while, sat out there in his jeans, socks & slippers & a T shirt. I took him a glass of cold water & he laughed at me, asking what was wrong with me (!), it was beautiful outside & he didn't want water. I know he's not drinking enough, but I can't pour it down his throat. Anyway, do you think there is really no comprehension of how hot it is? Do they lose the ability to feel hot & cold (he still seems to feel the cold, though)? I really can't figure what stage he's in, probably a 4 1/2 to 5, but I know several things have changed dramatically (such as never mentioning golf, which before now he couldn't wait!), so is this just one more thing to add to the list of changes? The one saving grace is that he's quiet - he's outside, I'm in the air conditioning (recovering from an illness). I can read, nap, pretty much whatever I want, as long as I'm inside! Whew, this was a lot longer than I intended :)
Mim - many have talked about their inability to tell if it is too hot or too cold and to dress accordingly. Hb will talk about going for a walk - I tell him no, it is 100 degrees out. He sits in the a/c MH not realizing the heat outside. But, he will agree when I tell him how hot it is not to go out. He will sit with jeans and heavier shirt on while I sit here sweating. Just something I have to remember, accept and watch for.
It is good that he will stay on the porch and not take off, that you can sit inside cool and do what you want to.
Charlotte, my wife will do the opposite. She constantly checks the outside temp. We have AC on all of the time, but if it is very hot outside she will complain about howmhotmshe feels. Ok, sometimes it is menopause hot flashes, but she is influenced a lot by the number of the outside temp.
its my opinion that all metabolic functions and regulators are affected to some degree during this journey. heat, cold, pain, internal thermometer, sensations, all seem to be affected at times. my DH late end stages is now in the internal thermometer issues stage. his body seems unable to regulate body temps and off/on low temps, and or irregular blood pressure changes. its a horrible brain disease and everything that's controlled within is reaking havoc. so yes they are very much unable to tell their own temperatures internally or exterior so the clothing factor is always an issue to watch for. its imperative to moderate and keep them safely within the norms and temps that are safe. we hear all the time about AD victims found in extreme temps that wandered away. :(
I have the same temperature issues with my DH. He likes to walk frequently during the day and doesn't really remember from one walk to the next what the temperature is. So even if it's 85 degrees out, he'll grab his spring jacket. Sometimes I can convince him to take it off and other times not. I've noticed it's the subtle shades of judgment that are most impaired for him. As far as he's concerned, if the sun is shining and it's not raining (or snowing), he can be outside. Very black and white in terms of judging anything. That was one of the first signs I saw in him. Fortunately I was able to divert him during our heat wave the last few days by telling him we were under a heat advisory. Also, if someone else is around to back up my info (like my daughter) then he'll usually comply. He's also sensitive to food temperatures, more than in the past.
I guess I need to be thankful that he isn't a wanderer (yet!) Elaine, I've noticed with D those "subtle changes in judgement", as you put it (good terminology) - if it's sunny, go out to the porch. If it's cloudy, like today, he's in the recliner, even though it's plenty warm enough to sit outside. I really can't guide him, at this point - if I say it's hot, he says it's just right. If I say it's cold, he says he thinks it's warm. If I "suggest" shorts instead of jeans, he's sure to wear the jeans. If I say it's night, he'll say it's day (kind of an exaggeration, but it paints the picture - very argumentative, defensive, disagreeable). Even if we look at the thermometer on the porch (registering 94 in the shade!) he'll say "no, I don't believe it"! AARRRGGH! I've realized, as have my sons, that, in D's mind, it's me - I have become the enemy, which I realize is not unusual in these situations. That's okay - sometimes I just walk away & mumble under my breath "screw you"! I just watch him - if something seems to be awry, I'll just call 911. Whatever happens, happens. Sound heartless? Sometimes I think I am. Thanks for the input.
Oh Mim, your house sounds like mine." It's cold in here" why not put on a sweater? " no, I don't want a sweater, you take off something" " turn off the air in the car. No it gets to hot and I get sleepy. Put on your jacket. No I don't want to. So I walk away saying" shut up shut up shut up! Get off my back. " My DH is going to LTC soon and it is sad to say but since he has made those arrangements he is not so aggressive. He forgets what he says to me and when he asks and I tell him he calls me a liar. " I would not say something s mean to anyone not even you!" This time I said" maybe you wouldn't have said it before but now you do!" I was surprised that that shut him up. And Yes "Screw you " is a favourite here as well.
Guess in my situation I can't blame anyone, but myself. DW is incapable of dressing herself, selection of the "uniform of the day." Too hot or cold DW no longer can communicate verbally, but she can make her request for a sweater know with gestures. Living in FL something's never change. During the summer it's hot and humid! We're very fortunate living in ocean front, we have non-stop shore breeze, no matter how hot the day the terrace is comfortable. Even now we eat most meals there.