July 15, 2010

Charlie started at Elder Mount last week. Mama stayed for the first half of his first day and then he was left with everyone else. There are 4 groups of people. They are put a specific group in depending on their mental ability. Charlie was put into group 3. The first day was, as expected, pretty difficult. He got confused a bit which is expected. One of the problems with him being in group 3 is that other people in that group are not as mobile as Charlie so they can't move around nearly as much as he can. Because of that they are sitting down a lot. They do exercises in chairs instead of standing up. After a while of sitting Charlie wanted to get up and wonder around. Well they don't want him to do that because they have an activity going on and don't have enough people to watch him and others who want to do the same thing.

The second day was better than the first. There are 9 field trips that Elder Mount takes every month. We are allowed to sign Charlie up for 3 of them. His second day he went on a field trip to the art museum. When Mama asked him what he saw he said that he saw a lot of colors which is a pretty good answer. They also have people there to gives manicures and hair cuts so Charlie got his hair cut the second day he was there. Things have been going well since then. He will continue to go 2 days a week.

The speech, physical, and occupational therapists are all still coming to the house 2 or 3 days a week. It seems to be going well with them. There is something new going on with Charlie. He will make the movement of using a fork or spoon while eating and bring it up to his mouth but there isn't a fork or spoon in his hand. We don't know what that is about. He also will be going to see the new neurologist this week.

Kels

July 5, 2010

The days have been getting harder and longer. Its one thing to find something to do for yourself, it is another thing to have to entertain someone who is very limited in what they do. There are so few things for Charlie to do because he needs someone to help him or he can't be left alone doing it. He can't walked down the street by himself, can't do yard work besides picking up sticks, and he can't play ball with the dog because he forgets what he is doing or has forgotten how. He is becoming less lucid and can't focus more and more. His name has to be said before saying anything to him or he won't pay attention. Even then its a 50/50 chance whether or not he is listening. Its getting to the point that instead of just repeating a direction over and over he has to be guided physically. However when I do that he ends up getting irritated with me or giving me a look, but that comes with the disease. He doesn't like being followed around or told what to do by anyone but Mama..

Charlie paces A LOT. He picks things up and puts them down or just touches them for no apparent reason. He walks from room to room aimlessly and will do the same thing outside. The other day he walked down the street again by himself. The neighbors saw him and brought him back. We can't get him to sit down for a long period of time without him getting up and wondering around again. I'm starting to wonder if the agitation is starting to take a part on how he sleeps. He has been waking up a lot earlier than he ever used to. Its like he feels the need to get up and do something just like when he paces.

Charlie is starting at Elder Mount tomorrow morning. He is there for the whole day, two days a week. Mama will be with him for part of the morning tomorrow but then she has to leave and let him be there with everyone else. I think we are all a bit nervous about it. It is like leaving a child on their first day of school but with Charlie he may be able to remember where he is or know where Mama is. He gets very upset when he doesn't know where she is and why she isn't around. Hopefully we can have to workers remind him of where he is and where she is so that he won't be upset or feel like he got left there to stay.

Keeps us in your thoughts. Its been very difficult lately.

All for now,
Kels