Monday, November 14, 2011
11 November 2011 VETEREN'S DAY
Art was a Veteran for the Navy CB's (Construction Battalion). He served as a Machinist Second Class. I have all his Military Certificates of Rank and Honorable Discharge. He used to pour steel from a crane several feet above the mold that was used to make the Turrets for the Military Equipment and Tanks. Art was so proud of his service to his country. He loved his country. A tremendous example of a real American.
Friday, November 4, 2011
03 November 2011
I'M BACK and it is 2011
It has been one year to the day, I took a break from writing. I felt I should get started again, and coincidentally, my last entry was 03 November 2010. Crazy!
Art has been letting me know He is around. I put a motion light in my closet about two months ago, it comes on periodically, and noone is near the closet or in the closet. When I bought the motion lights, (2 lights in a package), I placed on in my pantry and one in my master closet. With the one in my closet coming on, without anyone triggering the light, I decided to switch them. I put the light from the closet in the pantry and the light from the pantry in my closet. I did this because the light in the pantry never comes on mysteriously, like the light in my closet would. Guess what? The same thing happens. The light in my closet comes on without anyone being near or in the closet, and the light in the pantry doesn't do that. And I don't have flies in my house. The closet, is in the corner of my room, and not exposed to any motion whatsoever.
Anyway, I think it is cool. How ya doin' Art, yes, I am aware I need to get back to writing this stuff.
It has been one year to the day, I took a break from writing. I felt I should get started again, and coincidentally, my last entry was 03 November 2010. Crazy!
Art has been letting me know He is around. I put a motion light in my closet about two months ago, it comes on periodically, and noone is near the closet or in the closet. When I bought the motion lights, (2 lights in a package), I placed on in my pantry and one in my master closet. With the one in my closet coming on, without anyone triggering the light, I decided to switch them. I put the light from the closet in the pantry and the light from the pantry in my closet. I did this because the light in the pantry never comes on mysteriously, like the light in my closet would. Guess what? The same thing happens. The light in my closet comes on without anyone being near or in the closet, and the light in the pantry doesn't do that. And I don't have flies in my house. The closet, is in the corner of my room, and not exposed to any motion whatsoever.
Anyway, I think it is cool. How ya doin' Art, yes, I am aware I need to get back to writing this stuff.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Taking a Break
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| 'Pursed lips' and 'smiling eyes'. Sometimes you just laugh or cry. |
Hospice of the Valley: 602-530-6900
Respite:
With Hospice of the Valley, every 30 days, the caregiver is encouraged to take a five day break. It may have changed, but regardless, 'taking a break' is ESSENTIAL to the health, well being, and frame of mind of the caregiver. It is ESSENTIAL. This may come in many different forms ie, a short trip, rotating caregiving with family members, hiring a part-time caregiver, using the HOV Respite Plan, etc.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Elderly Persons' Lawyer/Alzhiemers Information and Journaling
November 03, 2010
I find it interesting, I started this blog with the same timing of my journals, only, four years later. Reading through my journals has been so great, so far as helping to recall the sequence of events. Hopefully, it will help you to make decisions in behalf of your loved one with more confidence.
I had been overseeing Arts' welfare for about one month 'at this point' (which is a phrase I will use ALOT). I now needed to contact a lawyer to share and validate my concerns about friends who seemed to be taking advantange of Art. I'd logged that withdrawals from Arts' bank accounts for $100 and $200.00 were evident. Art was being indifferent, and wanted His friend (female) to move in. I was shocked. Something was amiss. I had not gone through Arts' belongings at this point, so I was not familiar with His stuff, but things didn't seem right.
The lawyer met with us at Arts' home on a Friday. She met Art, and asked him personal questions about His history, His wishes for the Estate and myself representing Him. Art really liked the lawyer and so did I. I got the lawyers' name from the Alzheimers Association.
The Gold digging continued for the next few weeks. I would go by Arts' home to check on Him and He would be gone. The gold diggers' car would be in the front.
The following day, I came by to remind Art that the lawyer was coming. I asked Art if He had been giving money to the (gold digger)? Art said, "the money keeps coming in"! Art was very open about sharing private financial matters with strangers and friends that came to his home. Thus, folks took advantage of Him, regularly. In asking the lawyer if there was need for concern, I was told "yes", Art would need His funds to pay for His care, and a felony was being committed against an elderly person.
When the lawyer came by for our Friday appointment, She explained the details of having myself as a partner with Art, in case of emergency or Art needing help with financial decisions, etc. She advised He put money from His checking into a CD or Savings Account connected with the "Living Trust", so He could still have access to the funds, but in the event He were to die, it would not go into Probate (which takes about six months and require fees to process the probates' conclusion). I took Art to the Bank and with His consent put my name on all accounts as Successor Trustee, per the assignment in the Living Trust. This was a weird positon to be in, because here is where the 'rubber meets the road', and YOUR character becomes paramount.
I find it interesting, I started this blog with the same timing of my journals, only, four years later. Reading through my journals has been so great, so far as helping to recall the sequence of events. Hopefully, it will help you to make decisions in behalf of your loved one with more confidence.
I had been overseeing Arts' welfare for about one month 'at this point' (which is a phrase I will use ALOT). I now needed to contact a lawyer to share and validate my concerns about friends who seemed to be taking advantange of Art. I'd logged that withdrawals from Arts' bank accounts for $100 and $200.00 were evident. Art was being indifferent, and wanted His friend (female) to move in. I was shocked. Something was amiss. I had not gone through Arts' belongings at this point, so I was not familiar with His stuff, but things didn't seem right.
The lawyer met with us at Arts' home on a Friday. She met Art, and asked him personal questions about His history, His wishes for the Estate and myself representing Him. Art really liked the lawyer and so did I. I got the lawyers' name from the Alzheimers Association.
The Gold digging continued for the next few weeks. I would go by Arts' home to check on Him and He would be gone. The gold diggers' car would be in the front.
The following day, I came by to remind Art that the lawyer was coming. I asked Art if He had been giving money to the (gold digger)? Art said, "the money keeps coming in"! Art was very open about sharing private financial matters with strangers and friends that came to his home. Thus, folks took advantage of Him, regularly. In asking the lawyer if there was need for concern, I was told "yes", Art would need His funds to pay for His care, and a felony was being committed against an elderly person.
When the lawyer came by for our Friday appointment, She explained the details of having myself as a partner with Art, in case of emergency or Art needing help with financial decisions, etc. She advised He put money from His checking into a CD or Savings Account connected with the "Living Trust", so He could still have access to the funds, but in the event He were to die, it would not go into Probate (which takes about six months and require fees to process the probates' conclusion). I took Art to the Bank and with His consent put my name on all accounts as Successor Trustee, per the assignment in the Living Trust. This was a weird positon to be in, because here is where the 'rubber meets the road', and YOUR character becomes paramount.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Statistics
November 02, 2010
It is estimated, by the year 2050, 16 million people will be effected by Alzheimers Disease in the United States alone. It is estimated 70% of those affected with Alzheimers Disease are cared for in the home, with a ball park cost of about $42,000.00 a year, as of 2006.
Caregivers can become clinically drepressed, requiring medical treatment because of 'caregiver burnout'. Disease and death can result from the emotional and physical strain of caring for someone with Dementia/Alzheimers. Caregivers have a higher mortality rate, than those they care for, because of the tremendous strain.
I was fortunate enough to have money from Arts' Trust, to pay for all of the expenses, up until the time I chose to contact Hospice of the Valley. I cannot say enough about Hospice of the Valley. Were it not for them, myself and my family would have had a more difficult time. Art was a patient with Hospice of the Valley for two years. Once a person is a patient with Hospice of the Valley, all 'out of pocket', or insurance costs, cease, because the expense of sustaining life is over. No more Neurologists, or Specialists. The consistent monitoring process, in supporting those with the 'Dibility' of Dementia, begins. Of course, there is expense to the care and comfort of your loved one, along with medications subscribed by the Hospice Physician, but those expenses are absorbed as part of the Hospice care Umbrella.
Nothing is FREE. Anytime someone gets something for FREE, someone else paid for it. Even still, when the time comes for you to accept help, know there is a cost somewhere, but you still need the help!!!!! You still need to educate yourself, so you don't feel guilty, rather, you feel empowered to do the best you can, and allow others to do the best they can. Being an educated caregiver, with the support you MUST have, and the knowledge you NEED, will make ALL the difference in your attitude, health, ability to care for your loved one, AND be an advocate for them. I don't care if there is money involved or not, whether you get an inheritance or not, whether noone in the family is helping or not, or whether you lose everything, there will come a day when you have to remember how you handled this. It will haunt if you don't try, and it will eat you up, if you have alot of regret. Be an educated caregiver, not a complaining, bitter, ignoramus. Like my Mother taught me, "all things in this life are temporary", even 10-20 years is temporary. Blessings will come to you, if you are serving in the right attitude. If you are caregiving at this time, you are in my prayers. Like all things, there is good and difficult. This is your season to do this..........
It is estimated, by the year 2050, 16 million people will be effected by Alzheimers Disease in the United States alone. It is estimated 70% of those affected with Alzheimers Disease are cared for in the home, with a ball park cost of about $42,000.00 a year, as of 2006.
Caregivers can become clinically drepressed, requiring medical treatment because of 'caregiver burnout'. Disease and death can result from the emotional and physical strain of caring for someone with Dementia/Alzheimers. Caregivers have a higher mortality rate, than those they care for, because of the tremendous strain.
I was fortunate enough to have money from Arts' Trust, to pay for all of the expenses, up until the time I chose to contact Hospice of the Valley. I cannot say enough about Hospice of the Valley. Were it not for them, myself and my family would have had a more difficult time. Art was a patient with Hospice of the Valley for two years. Once a person is a patient with Hospice of the Valley, all 'out of pocket', or insurance costs, cease, because the expense of sustaining life is over. No more Neurologists, or Specialists. The consistent monitoring process, in supporting those with the 'Dibility' of Dementia, begins. Of course, there is expense to the care and comfort of your loved one, along with medications subscribed by the Hospice Physician, but those expenses are absorbed as part of the Hospice care Umbrella.
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| Michael was a big help to me in 2008 |
Monday, November 1, 2010
Medication Setup and Little Buffy Boo
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| Buffy Boo and Shrek |
At this point, Art is still dispensing His own meds, but I write up a 'medication schedule', and tape it to the cupboard door, so Art can read it. Art had been writing the dosage on the tops of the lids and I thought that was such a great idea, I continued to do so. The refrigerator had very little food in it, so I took Art some soup. Art would go to the grocery store with His truck and pick up various foods ie, coffee, beer, crackers, eggs, bread, cereal, and dog food (at this point, He was still driving around the neighborhood). Speaking of dog food, Art had a little doggie named Buffy. I called her Buffy Boo. Buffy was Arts' constant companion. She lives with me today. She is a finicky poodle. She is spirited and skidish. She lives with my dog, Shrek. He is big and slightly retarded. Shrek was found in a shed in the desert, nearly dead, so I think He has brain damage. Consequently, Shrek is a bull in a china closet, and in the beginning would run over poor little Buffy. Buffy would jump and nip at Shrek and still does if He runs her over, but that doesn't happen much now. Anyway, I began to take lunch and dinner over to Art, but very often would find the meals untouched, unless I put them in front of Art. Restless, sleepless nights are becoming more frequent. David and Michael continue to visit Art after school. They mow the lawn or sit and watch television with Art for awhile. Art is now beginning to feel lonely, living alone. Art still has other folks coming over to visit, but like I said, "if it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. At this point, I make a call to an 'Elderly Persons Lawyer'.
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| Michael and David |
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Taking Away Driving License
October 30, 2010
Watch those gold diggers. They are sneaky. They talk to you, smile with you, visit about stuff with you, but all the time, they have an agenda. I'm reading the journal I kept in the beginning and it still ticks me off. Which leads me to the complicated, frustrating beginning. I tried to talk to Art about the Trust. I had questions about the Power of Attorney and Medical Power of Attorney assignment. That lead no where. I asked Art if we could call His brother in another State, perhaps have Art go visit. Art said, "No, I wouldn't want them to see me this way".
Sometimes when I would schedule time to go to lunch with Art, He would go with someone else. He would remember the lunch invitation, but not WHO lunch was with. I would talk to him about giving up the truck keys and that went over like a lead balloon. One day when I came over, Art gave me a housekey. I also took the spare truck key. Afterall, if He misplaced His truck keys, and couldn't find the spare key, He couldn't drive. Actually on THIS day in 2006, we were at a doctor appointment to review medications, and I ask about the 'driving'. Art scored 22 on the 'Memory Test', and the doctor said, "no more driving". The important thing at this point is with all of the memory challenges, driving is dangerous. Disorientation is very common, getting lost, and even having slow reflex can cause the person with Demtia to cause an accident. Losing the privelage of driving is a very difficult thing for folks, because it is their line to independence. This can be a process. Lorain called me one evening very, very worried about Art. Art had been gone for over four hours. Lorain called the police, and by the time Art got home, they questioned him about where He had been. Art got very defensive and told the police, "I was just driving around". I can see his face displaying a ridgid jaw, and eyes widened with aggrevation as He chuckles at the annoyance of being questioned, waving his hand outwardly.
Watch those gold diggers. They are sneaky. They talk to you, smile with you, visit about stuff with you, but all the time, they have an agenda. I'm reading the journal I kept in the beginning and it still ticks me off. Which leads me to the complicated, frustrating beginning. I tried to talk to Art about the Trust. I had questions about the Power of Attorney and Medical Power of Attorney assignment. That lead no where. I asked Art if we could call His brother in another State, perhaps have Art go visit. Art said, "No, I wouldn't want them to see me this way".
Sometimes when I would schedule time to go to lunch with Art, He would go with someone else. He would remember the lunch invitation, but not WHO lunch was with. I would talk to him about giving up the truck keys and that went over like a lead balloon. One day when I came over, Art gave me a housekey. I also took the spare truck key. Afterall, if He misplaced His truck keys, and couldn't find the spare key, He couldn't drive. Actually on THIS day in 2006, we were at a doctor appointment to review medications, and I ask about the 'driving'. Art scored 22 on the 'Memory Test', and the doctor said, "no more driving". The important thing at this point is with all of the memory challenges, driving is dangerous. Disorientation is very common, getting lost, and even having slow reflex can cause the person with Demtia to cause an accident. Losing the privelage of driving is a very difficult thing for folks, because it is their line to independence. This can be a process. Lorain called me one evening very, very worried about Art. Art had been gone for over four hours. Lorain called the police, and by the time Art got home, they questioned him about where He had been. Art got very defensive and told the police, "I was just driving around". I can see his face displaying a ridgid jaw, and eyes widened with aggrevation as He chuckles at the annoyance of being questioned, waving his hand outwardly.
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