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