Helping Those Who Care for Parkinson's Patients
| [Home] [Forum] [Help] [Search] [Register] [Login] [Donate] |
| You are not logged in |
|
| ||
|
I have to tell you about my husband recently. He is in his 9th year of PD and this past year developed dementia. He just turned 68. I have been taking him to the Day Away Program at the Alzheimer's Society one day a week for the past 2 months. It's a 5 1/2 hour day from 9:30 to 3 p.m. At first he wasn't really crazy about going so I was on pins and needles the night before wondering if he would agree to go. A couple of weeks ago he was crying and said he hated it, but a month ago I made a picture album which included pictures of him riding a horse in the mountains out west in Alberta, Canada. He spent 3 days camping out with real cowboys and other people. The staff at the Day Away Program really liked the pictures and started calling him Cowboy. Last week he wanted to wear his cowboy hat and plaid shirt to the program and surprise the ladies. It was cute. He had his hat and sunglasses and plaid shirt with his shorts, wheeling his walker up the ramp and came around the corner and surprised one lady. She said Oh, my God, this is amazing and called him a handsome dude. lol My husband is 6'' 3" so you get the picture. He was all smiles and I even showed them a picture that I took of him with Roy Rogers whom we met on another trip in Nevada. I hope his joy of going to the program continues. |
| ||
|
Hi Lynnie2, It so nice to hear that your husband had a day that brought him joy or a smile. My husband has always worn a Open Road hat and either a bow tie or a bolo tie. He always liked when folks commented on his dashing attire. Good for your husband and I hope he has many more years of smiles and compliments. My husband is also 68 but has had parkinsons for 22 years. Best wishes and thanks for the positive post. Maddie |
| ||
|
That's wonderful! What a great idea you had showing him those pictures. When my hubby was going to physical therapy he always enjoyed the ladies attention and I just loved the big smiles he would get on his face. Our medicare money has just about run out but since there hasn't been any improvement this last month medicare says we have to wait until he gets worse again. What a crazy system! I'm dragging my feet still on getting help. I just don't know what my problem is. I got the name of a lady that helped two of the ladies in the caregiver group and came highly recommened. Not through an agency but helped them for a year or so and was professional and honest. Everyday seems harder. Lately his dementia has been popping up and I can take him for a drive and that helps. Sending you good thoughts and prayers. |
| ||
|
Thanks ladies for your messages. I am sorry you aren't getting enough help Flowers. I also have a caregiver from the Alzheimer's Society who is a PSW come every Tuesday for 6 hours. I have to pay 12. per hour, but it's worth it. She is really good with him. I was wondering if you have an option to see if the Alzheimer's Society has a similar program. |