Sunday afternoon picnic

Andy gets back from his holiday today. That will end our week of looking after Dad. We bought some fish and chips and had a picnic on the waterfront this afternoon. It was great. Dad loved it. You couldn't get a better view.

This week has made me realise how much of a responsibility looking after somone like Dad is. I knew it wouldn't be easy. There have been moments when he has given me a bit of a fright. This morning he finished his breakfast and fell asleep face first in his bowl. I was mowing the lawn and came in for a glass of water. Luckily the bowl wasn't still full. He might have drowned. He likes his food though. It is rare for him to not finish a meal.

Here is a list of some of the emotions I have felt this week:

Sad.
Dad has no idea that it was his late wife's birthday last weekend. I mentioned it to him but his reaction was detached. Understandable because of his condition, but sad nonetheless.

Amusing.
Try butter, devilled ham spread, cheese spread and ginger marmalade on microwaved bread for breakfast. He loved it. Importantly, he did the task of making breakfast himself. I didn't see the harm in the strange mixture.

Rewarding.
Giving Dad a task which he can complete on his own without help. Rewarding for him and me.

Irritating.
It is hard to sleep at night because he wanders and mutters to himself. He opens and shuts drawers and cupboards probably looking for something. I found I often needed to get up and gently prompt him back to bed.

Frustrating.
He loses things, looks for them, forgets what he is looking for and loses other things in the process. A spiral which quickly gets out of control.

Downright Weird.
I had to stop him from going to the postbox in his undies the other day.

Alarm.
Last night he had to take his dentures out in the Chinese restaurant. I got him put them in his pocket rather than on the side of his plate which was his first choice. Alarm was what the other patons must have been feeling. We got home an had to wash his jacket. He had stored all the vegetables he couldn't chew in his pocket too.

Affection.
I have enjoyed spending time watching him go about his daily routine. He is still the man I met when Jo brought me home as her new husband 15 odd years ago, just a little bit muddled nowadays.

I am trying put in words what Dad is like without it sounding like I am making fun of his condition. I wouldn't want to give that impression because it certainly isn't funny. Dad will only get worse not better. Jo's Mum had the same condition so it isn't as if we are unprepared.

I learnt quickly this week that giving Dad tasks and following his routine makes caring for him easier. There is no hurrying him. Showering, dressing and breakfast can take more than 2 hours. I did his laundry every day and gave it to him to hang out after his breakfast. It always took ages for him to do that, but he enjoys it and I think it gives him a feeling of self worth.

All in all though I have enjoyed the experience and will gladly do it again next time Andy needs a break.

Thanks everyone for the nice comments this week, especially those to do with my Father-in-Law. I will try and be a better blipper and post some comments of my own again from now on. Things been a bit busy and just getting my blip done has been difficult. I have been flicking through my favourite blippers at high speed whenever I had a chance. I might make a list of my recent favourites to relieve some of the guilt of not commenting.

My pic of the day from Skyroad.