Confusion in the night.

Sunday was normal.

At 1:45 am the phone rings. I answer it. "This is Kendallwood Hills Estates I was taking the garbage out and when I came back in we had a message on our phone that it was urgent to call. That call came from this number." Reid jumps up to go check on CP, I explain to the poor confused young woman that CP has Alzheimer's and that we can take care of it from here.

Reid goes running through the living room (right past his dad) into CP's basement apartment only to find he isn't there. Coming back upstairs yelling "Dad" and finds him laying on the sofa wearing my coat. CP gets up and is very excited and is almost yelling. I woke up and I didn't know where I was. I went out into the garage - but that belongs to someone else. I came up here and didn't know where I was, went down and called KHE and then came back up here to figure it all out. (I'm wondering why he didn't come down the hall to our bedroom at this point) Reid get's him calmed down and takes him back down and tucks him in bed after showing him all of his belongings. They look at photos of Reid and Susannah as children and now. CP settles down and goes to bed.

Today at work I made several signs and had them laminated. On the phone we have "You live with Reid and Barbara and they are upstairs"

Preoccupied again

Today CP spent several hours playing with a box of cheerios. He tooke them out of a box and placed them on a paper plate and had them in neat precise rows. He didn't do much of anything else today.

Reid accepted a position with Stuppy Greenhouses and we tell CP that on April 13 Reid is going back to work and that a "Visiting Angel" will be staying with him. He tells us that he is capable of staying alone. We have a long discussion about his Alzheimer's as a result. He acknowledges his memory loss and says that if we think it is necessary he will do whatever we think is right.

Visit to the VA

Reid and CP went to the VA today to let him see it and put him on the waiting list at our elder law attorney's advice. It takes about 6 months to get the first call, and we can always say we aren't ready for them and to go to the next person on the list.

CP likes the VA and enjoyed talking to a few of the other men. He was surprised when Reid tells one that CP served in the pacific in WW2.

Dinner at church

Every Wednesday our church cooks dinner and feeds whoever comes. Tonight Reid and CP join me at the meal so that Reid can teach a class at 6:00. While Reid is in class CP meets a few of my co-workers and friends. He tells one friend that Emily was a jeweler and makes some of the best jewelry in NC. (He is talking about Susannah) He says he never knew his brother and sisters.

I want a Coke!

This morning before church CP is still busy drawing pictures. He never did eat. Then once we get to church we get settled in the pew. My mom and dad sit in the pew in front of us each week so I am standing in the aisle talking to them when Pastor (also my boss) asks me to find something for him. I go in search of what he needs. While I am gone Reid and my dad start talking and all of a sudden CP gets up and starts leaving. Reid asks where he is going and he has a dollar in his head. He says that his is going to buy a coke. Reid gets him settled and then he goes and gets him a coke!

Can't focus

Well I haven't written for a couple of days. Since that time he has lost track of days, thinks he left NC 8 years ago and at breakfast is preoccupied with drawing instead of eating. Reid keeps reminding him to eat and after 3 times he finally eats. At lunch he didn't really know what to do even though his food was on the table.

It's back...

The pocket knife returns from wherever it was hiding. Now...CP says he can't find his teeth. We hunt and find that he has hidden them in a hand towel on his desk.

Okay....

Today CP was using his pocket knife to cut up an apple at his little kitchen table in his room. Reid went down to see how he is doing and he tells Reid that he has some bad news for him. He said, "I was cutting up my apple and had to take a leak, so I carefully laid my knife on the table and when I came back it was gone. I'm sorry Lacey (our dog) ate it." We explain that she couldn't eat an open knife. Well, we hunt all over and can't find it. Hmmmm

Yikes!

Tonight after I got home from work Reid was feeling closed in. So, we hopped in the car drove 2 miles to the mini market for a package of hamburger buns and headed home. We were gone all of 15 minutes. When we get home CP has taken a coat hanger and fashioned a dog leash out of it and is getting ready to take the dog for a walk. We explain this is WHY he can't be alone and that it will never happen again. He states that he is strong and is capable of walking the dog. He doesn't understand that he will get lost. SCARY!

Oops

Well, I haven't really written any notes for the past few days. CP has had some compulsive behaviors. Rearranging things over and over for hours. The usual complaints about not wanting to walk 1/2 block and that it isn't necessary.

We discuss the fact that Reid is hoping to get a job soon and that the doctor says he can't stay alone any more. He argues that he is fine and eventually he says that we know more than he does and he will do whatever we think is best.

Dr. Appointment

Well, we had a doctor appointment today. Doctor does his usual questions to see how his memory is. Today he thinks it is April 9, 1984 or 1985. He tells the doctor that he is glad to get a check-up because he hasn't been to the doctor in 7 years. The doctor tells him he saw him a month ago before he moved in with us. CP tells the doctor it has to be longer because he has lived with us for 2 years. We discuss the fact that CP is having difficulty with meat. We agree to have the dentist check out his dentures to see if they are the problem. He will go back for a check in a month.

Home?

Today CP didn't argue after breakfast about getting a shower. He did fold his dirty clothes and start to put them in his drawer until Reid showed him that he needed to put them in the laundry basket. After church we went to Applebees for lunch and when we got home he asked when we were going to take him "home". We remind him that he lives with us now and he says that is find.

Controls

Well, CP is forgetting he has eaten and snacks all day long. At meal time he is not hungry. So, we are going to have to take the snacks out of his little kitchen area and each morning take him what is sufficient for that day.

Time to Exercise

Well, the weather is finally warm enough that Reid decides to take his Dad for a short walk. It's rather flat in our neighborhood so they walk about 1/2 a block. CP tells Reid that he is tired and wants to know "Why do I have to walk a damn mile?" He shows him where the house is and laughs and says I guess it isn't that far. He tells Reid that he works out everyday with his dumb bells, but they haven't been moved since he came to live with us.

Confusion again

Today Reid and CP weent to the drug store and just for a drive to get out of the house. When they got back CP stood in the driveway and told Reid "I thought you were taking me home." Reid explains to CP that he lives with us now. He thinks about it for a few minutes and then remembers. Says he is happy to be living with us.

Shopping with CP

Reid is still unemployed, they went to Wal-Mart today to go grocery shopping. CP is like a kid in a candy shop. He is filling the grocery cart and having a ball helping Reid doing the grocery shopping. Reid has to restrain him from some purchases, snacks he isn't supposed to have due to his edema. They spend the afternoon together and enjoy each other's company.

Settling In

Yesterday went rather smooth. It snowed most of the day and so we all just relaxed and enjoyed being inside.

This morning was another story. CP is very confused. As we expected, he didn't recognize where he is at and so we showed him his personal belongings. After breakfast Reid went down to assist him with his shower and I could hear him arguing with Reid. He says he had a shower this morning. Reid shows him the empty laundry basket, he says he showered and put his dirty clothes on. Reid explains that it doesn't do any good to shower and put on dirty clothing. He finally agrees to shower, change his clothes and shave before church. The rest of the day is normal.