Observations of Alzheimer's at the market
Observing an individual with Alzheimer's has been fascinating to say the least. I have noticed a thought exchanged in the moment days later becomes a memory at times resurfacing. Days ago I promised my Alzheimer's client Peaches, I would take her for a car ride in her neighborhood if the weather was nice. Today when I showed up she had her purse and coat by the door and reminded me of the promise. Stating she chose to go to the market for a treat to take for a church meeting in the near future. Though the chances of the church meeting being part of her events in the days ahead were slim, I telephoned her daughter and let her know of the request for the market. Her daughter felt if I was up to the challenge, her mother had money on her card to pay for the transaction.
After getting her bundled in her coat and into the car, she gave perfect directions to the local market in her neighborhood of over 50 years. Once inside, the time resembled a child in a candy store. She knew the store aisles like a blue print etched to the mind from long ago.She spotted pumpkin pies and started loading the cart with pies. I suggested maybe two would be sufficient for this time, followed by two tubs of whipped topping, chocolate for children and Diet Rite soda to drink. Advised two of each would be plenty for the meeting knowing with Thanksgiving coming, what might not be going to a church meeting could be her contribution on Thanksgiving. When she decided to head to the meat department, I suggested maybe her whipped cream might not survive the time it would take before getting home.She agreed and we managed to complete the checkout and return home with her treats for the meeting.
She was so proud of herself in going shopping again. Somewhere in time, if not now this memory just might resurface to bring her pleasure again. In the Alzheimer's mind, thoughts seem to travel through the neural passages and take rest again in another part of the mind as if many compartments store the past and stop and go signs of recall replace the fluid of thought. Peaches is well aware of having Alzheimer's and from years of working as a practical nurse herself. she is not unaware of the future.either. After preparing her some lunch, she sat by the window; watching the activity in the woods of her property and spoke of nursing homes for the future. Stating she did not want to leave her home and woods of 50 years for the nursing home and would prefer not knowing she would go. A moment of solice when she was very much in the NOW and looking at the future. Moments later, her next thought slipped from being able to process and express what she intended to say.
We finished our time together by watching TV shows from decades past and even viewed one neither of us had seen before as she would fall in and out of a light sleep after a day that took her to a simple place we all take for granted in the market, and one she desperately wanted to see again. Before I left, she asked if at another time I would take her to the cemetery to see her husband's grave.I am sure at some point she will once again find a day of perfect focus and be able to direct the ride for the cemetery and once again I will honor my promise for today and provided possibly one more memory to be saved for another day in the mind of Alzheimer's. She could still be alive for many years on this Earth, though her days to experience grow shorter, If I can provide one more experience to carry her through the days when they are no longer meant to be, I feel blessed to be there with her just one more time in a life we might take for granted and she does her best to hold unto at times like a child in a candy store and other times to spend just a few more minutes with the love of her life where she laid him to rest. Until next time Peaches, namaste"
After getting her bundled in her coat and into the car, she gave perfect directions to the local market in her neighborhood of over 50 years. Once inside, the time resembled a child in a candy store. She knew the store aisles like a blue print etched to the mind from long ago.She spotted pumpkin pies and started loading the cart with pies. I suggested maybe two would be sufficient for this time, followed by two tubs of whipped topping, chocolate for children and Diet Rite soda to drink. Advised two of each would be plenty for the meeting knowing with Thanksgiving coming, what might not be going to a church meeting could be her contribution on Thanksgiving. When she decided to head to the meat department, I suggested maybe her whipped cream might not survive the time it would take before getting home.She agreed and we managed to complete the checkout and return home with her treats for the meeting.
She was so proud of herself in going shopping again. Somewhere in time, if not now this memory just might resurface to bring her pleasure again. In the Alzheimer's mind, thoughts seem to travel through the neural passages and take rest again in another part of the mind as if many compartments store the past and stop and go signs of recall replace the fluid of thought. Peaches is well aware of having Alzheimer's and from years of working as a practical nurse herself. she is not unaware of the future.either. After preparing her some lunch, she sat by the window; watching the activity in the woods of her property and spoke of nursing homes for the future. Stating she did not want to leave her home and woods of 50 years for the nursing home and would prefer not knowing she would go. A moment of solice when she was very much in the NOW and looking at the future. Moments later, her next thought slipped from being able to process and express what she intended to say.
We finished our time together by watching TV shows from decades past and even viewed one neither of us had seen before as she would fall in and out of a light sleep after a day that took her to a simple place we all take for granted in the market, and one she desperately wanted to see again. Before I left, she asked if at another time I would take her to the cemetery to see her husband's grave.I am sure at some point she will once again find a day of perfect focus and be able to direct the ride for the cemetery and once again I will honor my promise for today and provided possibly one more memory to be saved for another day in the mind of Alzheimer's. She could still be alive for many years on this Earth, though her days to experience grow shorter, If I can provide one more experience to carry her through the days when they are no longer meant to be, I feel blessed to be there with her just one more time in a life we might take for granted and she does her best to hold unto at times like a child in a candy store and other times to spend just a few more minutes with the love of her life where she laid him to rest. Until next time Peaches, namaste"
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