Every Day Tasks Are Getting Harder

March 28, 2010

Some days are harder than others, know that and remember that. It can be very difficult to interest a demented mind. Sometimes, while the interest may be there the will just isn't, or worse yet, simple tasks have become physically or mentally impossible. Don't get frustrated, just keep trying. Anything you can do that stimulates the mind is a good thing. Anything you can do to stimulate the demented mind is a great thing!

Mom wants so desperately to be able to do all the things she used to be able to. Little things like arts and crafts, which she adores, have now become too difficult for her. Her hands shake violently most of the time (possibly related to Essential Tremor), making it impossible to do a lot of things. She finds many things physically impossible and others are just too much effort.

Dad, on the other hand, has no will to do anything. He is far more content to sit staring at a muted TV for hours on end. His self-imposed jobs around the house are gradually becoming more difficult for him to complete. If he begins to unload the dishwasher, for example, he may get sidetracked mid-task and completely forget what he was doing. He will then begin to load dirty dishes into the half unloaded machine. Or wander off absently forgetting to close the dishwasher door.
Last night, after dinner, I began loading the dishwasher while he insisted he was going to do it (he's still bandaged so he isn't supposed to be doing it). He immediately came to the kitchen with the few remaining dishes and informed me, "I have been loading that thing for over an hour. I don't need any help. Now move!"
I stepped aside and watched him turn 2 half full glasses of Coke and ice upside down in the dishwasher before he realized he had forgotten to empty them first. Within seconds, he grabbed the liquid dish soap and was going to pour it in the dishwasher. "Hey, Dad," I said, handing him the right stuff. "Why don't we use this instead?"
With a sheepish grin, he did it correctly before leaving the door open and wandering off into the other room. I followed him to do our nightly routine of cleaning his wound and changing the bandages. When we were done, he announced he was going to clean the kitchen and started to rise. I pointed out it was all already done. He replied, "Guess it's time to go seek a horizontal position." I wished them a good night and reminded them to call me if they needed me for anything. And as I was leaving the room, I saw him walk over and sit down in his recliner. Just that quick, he forgot he was going to bed.