The material presented
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I have been so patient and loving with my mom who has alzheimers. She has been working on a jigsaw puzzle which she cannot do. She seems to enjoy her time figuring out how to fit the pieces together that really don't go together afterall :) I don't say too much. I just work on part of the puzzle myself and then redo some of her pieces which she doesn't really realize later anyway. I just think that in her mind she is practicing something important that may help her. She is thinking and concentrating and trying to problem solve. My dad would think I was crazy not telling her she is doing it wrong. But, in her mind, maybe it is right for her. Who knows? All I know is she seems happy and busy doing the puzzle. We still aren't 100 percent sure she has alzheimers anyway. She definately has dimentia and alzheimers is a form of dimentia. She will get 4 pieces that fit together on one place each and think she has accomplished something. Then she looks and it doesn't look right. I just say something like well my pieces don't all go together correctly either. She has tried things before and started crying when she can't do them because she gets so scared but somehow she finds this puzzle sort of fun. I am not sure what my dad will think when he gets to the cabin and sees my pieces and her pieces. All I know is it shows we were together doing something and enjoying each others company. I know that in the future I will look at jigsaw puzzles more differently than I have ever looked at them before. your friend in recovery, cdb :)
I think that it is great that your mom is enjoying the puzzel.
My grandad who has alzehimers find the littlest things fun and it makes him happy. Like doing dishes and yard work. It makes these little things make me smile.
Have a great time and I am so glad that you are finding serenity at the cabin.
You are absolutely right not to tell Mom she is doing the puzzle wrong. She is enjoying herself, and there is no reason to tear down her efforts. Your dad's wrong on this one. Good for you for being patient with Mom. You'll never regret it. I went through this with my mom. Times will get tougher, but hang in there with love and kindness. Diva
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"Speak your truth quietly and clearly..." Desiderata
I have missed you in chat lately, but I understand why you haven't been there. I have learned alot from talking (and kidding) with you. Patience is something I have been working on lately, and I can't imagine how patient you have to be to work that puzzle. Putting one together by myself is frustrating enough.
thanks for being a supportive part of my recovery. I will keep you and yours in my prayers!!!
I am so happy for you and your Mom, you are making special memories that will be so precious.You seem so happy to be there, I think you needed it!! Enjoy each and every precious minute.
I used to work in a nursing home. For some reason, they wanted us to try to remind the people with Dementia that they were in a nursing home!! I never did understand it. The patients were happy thinking they were in their own homes and we were their family, maids, moms or whatever. They were happy, why upset them??
I imagine your Dad is finding it very hard to come to terms with it all. Your Mom will probably think he is her Dad one of these days,and it will probably upset him that she doesn't recognize him for who he is. It will break his heart, but hopefully he will be able to look at the world through her eyes as a beautiful, simple place and be able to enjoy things like doing a puzzle together. Who cares if it's right or not as long as she enjoys it?
I know some things will be hard for him, like if he has to leave her alone at all. I think there are programs with volenteers who would stay with her if you couldn't be there. You could probably find some info at the hospital.
My prayers are going your way, to all of you. Sometimes it can get pretty frustrating, but I hope you and your Dad can create happy memories with your Mom even through the trials. The cabin sounds like a beautiful, peaceful place!!
I lost my Mom 20 years ago and I still miss her so much at times, I burst out crying. I know she is in Heaven with my HP, and is one of his very special angels. Enjoy your Serenity, Love, TLC
I'm so glad you thought of trying the puzzle with your mom. it's cool that that keeps calm and happy. I hope your dad can see that when he returns. It might be just the way she taught you to put puzzles together when you were young. Enjoy your stay there and soak up the beauty for all of us :)
Hi! I've missed you. You may want to get kids puzzles with large pieces & less of them to finish. We have worked jig saw puzzles with my Mom too. My computer was down for a while-I am so glad to have it back. Look forward to seeing you online again. Anna
