Many times I have remarked how fortunate Kate and I have been throughout this journey. I hope you have also been able to tell that that doesn’t mean we don’t face many of the same challenges that others are having. Caring for someone with AD always requires daily adjustments. For example, Kate and I got home from Panera about 10:15. As usual, she asked if she could “pick a few leaves” and then asked me where she should start, the back or the front. Usually, I just say wherever you want. This time I said, “Why don’t you start along the driveway.” We came inside. She brushed her teeth and then went directly to the back yard instead of the driveway. Of course, this was no problem because it doesn’t make any difference to me where she works in the yard. It’s just an illustration of the everyday things that occur because her memory is gone.
I should add that we are going to a Christmas special at the Flat Rock Playhouse this afternoon. Although this won’t be a “dress up” affair, I didn’t want her to mess up her clothes working outside. I didn’t mention this to her because I knew she wouldn’t be able to remember it. As we were approaching the time for us to leave for lunch, I looked out back and saw that she was sitting in a flower bed pulling up weeds. I knew that meant a change of clothes. It also mean adjusting our time schedule by going to lunch a little later. This didn’t bother me because I had already thought about going straight to Flat Rock from the restaurant. It worked out fine.
I relate this incident because it so illustrative of what happens everyday. As someone who has OCD tendencies, I generally follow through on my plans once they are made, but that doesn’t work with someone who has dementia. The result is that I often find that we start on one plan and shift to another before we even take the first step. It really pays to be flexible.
