Category Archives: Home Caregiver Chronicles

My Caregiver Dilemma

As I gave Cindy her first hug of the day, claiming instead she was giving me a hug, I asked her the usual question:  “Did you sleep OK.” Back when Cindy could answer she always said “yes” even though I … Continue reading

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, Home Caregiver Chronicles, Stages of Decline | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Modes of Affection

As a citizen from the land of steady habits, I call up the same type of music for each day of the week while I do the early morning chores. On Saturdays I call for the children’s music we played … Continue reading

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Empathy and Resurrection

After changing Cindy and going through her physical therapy I put her “dancing shoes” on and swing her legs out of the bed. Her “dancing shoes” are a pair of sandals with rubber soles gripping the floor. Her sandals are … Continue reading

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Couch Potato Counseling

We have been “social distancing” now for over three years, since the time that Cindy no longer could walk. Given her overall health and will to live, we could be social distancing even after restrictions are lifted. Just when I … Continue reading

Posted in Brain Health, Home Caregiver Chronicles | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Becoming Friends with Strangers

Charissa comes to visit on most Fridays, making that a day I can go outside by myself for exercise. My usual route takes me up to the top of Lovers Lane and back, about four miles. The second mile is … Continue reading

Posted in Brain Health, Home Caregiver Chronicles, Journeys, Love Kindness | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Yes, No and Uh-huh

“Are you hungry?” I asked before leaving our “bedroom” to make breakfast. “Yes,” she replied in her barely audible manner these days. Cindy responds to a question occasionally, though not very often. In fact, she infrequently makes any verbal sounds … Continue reading

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, Home Caregiver Chronicles, Living Well | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

New Year’s Directions

Rather than New Year’s Resolutions I believe in New Year’s Directions. A new direction for me this year is the lack of direction in Cindy’s decline. For the start of the past few years I was uncertain whether Cindy would … Continue reading

Posted in Brain Health, Home Caregiver Chronicles | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

When a Simple “Yeah” Will Do

We may have gone for our last long outing of the year. Our adult stroller may allow us to continue on shorter outings as late fall and winter arrives, but I will have to balance the health advantages of being … Continue reading

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, Stages of Decline | Tagged | 4 Comments

Our Downstairs Routine

4:12 am – I am awake. Whether Cindy woke me or not I seldom know for sure, but I do know she appears agitated, which sometimes occurs around this time of night. Her hospital bed does not align seamlessly with … Continue reading

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, Caregiver Vignettes | Tagged | 7 Comments

Live Each Event as Your Last

On Thursday, September 19, Cindy and I celebrated our 33rd anniversary. I planned to make this day special by pushing Cindy in the stroller up the old wagon road to the peak of Haystack Mountain. From there I would carry … Continue reading

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, Caregiver Vignettes | Tagged | 4 Comments