Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Aussie105

(6,254 posts)
Mon Oct 21, 2024, 05:25 AM Oct 21

I did a thing today!

And I don't know if I should be proud of myself, or feel sad, so I'm cycling between the two.

Back story:

Second marriage for both me, 75, and the wife, 80. Married in 1988.

The scourge of advancing age is upon us, well, one of us anyway.

Wife's mother ended up in cloud cuckoo land and spent the last 10 years or so of her life in sheltered care.
(Alcohol use was blamed for the brain rot.)

Wife's first husband is now wheelchair bound, in sheltered care, also off with the pixies.

But it gets worse - wife's oldest son, now has dementia and is in sheltered care, 2,000 km away.

And worse - wife has slowly developed all the signs of dementia too.

I'm guessing there is a big genetic component at work there, but there is nothing in my side, so I'm in the clear. Just strung out looking after an 80 year old lady who is unpredictable and can throw temper tantrums like a 5 year old.

Anyway, the 'thing' I did today:
Collected a lot of childhood photos and more recent ones of the past life the son had, scanned and printed copies, put them into a photo album with captions, and sent it off today.

The aim is to try to refresh some of his memories, if that is possible.
He likes photos, his son - who lives locally to his dad - tells me.

So yeah, I did a thing, hopefully for the good.

The whole dementia thing though, surprisingly common in Australia, and very much a taboo subject from the vibes I'm getting from some family members who should care, but act like they don't.

20 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I did a thing today! (Original Post) Aussie105 Oct 21 OP
This is a really good project! jmbar2 Oct 21 #1
Thank you! Aussie105 Oct 21 #2
Another idea NJCher Oct 21 #3
Please reconsider... jmbar2 Oct 21 #6
You would be amazed NJCher Oct 21 #10
It was a diffuser - that was the problem jmbar2 Oct 21 #12
Sounds terrible NJCher Oct 21 #14
I share your noise sensitivities as well jmbar2 Oct 21 #16
I can hear my NJCher Oct 21 #17
That would be very unnerving! jmbar2 Oct 21 #19
music, too. mopinko Oct 21 #11
You did a good thing today!! KarenS Oct 21 #4
The compassion snowybirdie Oct 21 #5
Dementia is taboo-ish near me Tetrachloride Oct 21 #7
Oh dear, very sad and difficult for you. Joinfortmill Oct 21 #8
It's amazing how much Dementia patients remember from the past. HeartsCanHope Oct 21 #9
Sorry I know what is like Blue Full Moon Oct 21 #13
Very kind of you to think of your stepson in such a tangible way. MLAA Oct 21 #15
That is so very kind and thoughtful of you. Do not discount the positive niyad Oct 21 #18
Thanks for all the positivity in the feedback. Aussie105 Oct 21 #20

jmbar2

(6,088 posts)
1. This is a really good project!
Mon Oct 21, 2024, 05:31 AM
Oct 21

The older memories last longer than the more recent ones, so the photos can help retain contact with loved ones whose memories are fading.

It is also helpful when they are in nursing care for the staff and caretakers to know about the person's life, and to be able to pull out the memory book and talk about old times with them. Be sure to include pet photos.

One other thing I'd suggest: Make a mixtape of their favorite songs from the prime of their lives. When my dad was thought to be long gone, I played him a recording of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong from one of his favorite albums. He immediately beamed and said "It's Ella and Louie". We had a few moments of good conversation around that.

Cheers to you for the comfort you are providing!

Aussie105

(6,254 posts)
2. Thank you!
Mon Oct 21, 2024, 05:41 AM
Oct 21

I guess the stories of declining relatives and how to help them would be plentiful, if people were prepared to open up about them.

Unfortunately I never got to know this man well, his mother and I got together long after he joined the army at 17 and afterwards decided to settle 2,000 Km away in Queensland.
Met him 2 or 3 times in the past 36 years.

Wife has two other sons, who tend to stay away because her nagging/gabbling gets their tempers fired up real quick.
But I'm sure that they are thinking about their older brother, and have some concerns about themselves going down the same road.


NJCher

(37,864 posts)
3. Another idea
Mon Oct 21, 2024, 06:01 AM
Oct 21

Aromatherapy. The connection has long been established, plus it’s fun. Also inexpensive. Two hours a day, which can be done while sleeping.

jmbar2

(6,088 posts)
6. Please reconsider...
Mon Oct 21, 2024, 06:12 AM
Oct 21

About 30% of the population has chemical sensitivities triggered by chemicals used in scented products. I am one--triggers asthma and migraines. I was literally driven out of my last apartment because a neighbor used it a lot. It drifts into adjoining units like secondhand smoke. Even if your relative likes it, a neighbor may become ill from it.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335518300457

A person without their full faculties would not be able to tell you that it was making them ill. It could make them miserable.

Just a thought...

NJCher

(37,864 posts)
10. You would be amazed
Mon Oct 21, 2024, 06:26 AM
Oct 21

At how “local” the scent is when using a diffuser. It doesn’t spread very far—not even 10 feet.

But thank you for reminding me to say essential oils, not the chemically produced ones. I guess I assume that because I’d never buy them (ewwww), others wouldn’t, either. Not the case.

Very sorry you had that experience. If you had posted about it, I could have helped you handle it. I had the same situation with a lawyer next door in my townhouse, back when I lived there. Decades later, I still hear from her children, thanking me for saving their mother from lung cancer.

jmbar2

(6,088 posts)
12. It was a diffuser - that was the problem
Mon Oct 21, 2024, 06:58 AM
Oct 21

She had it on some kind of timer, so the air never really cleared.

It doesn't really matter if it says organic or not. They are volatile organic compounds (VOCs), molecules that disperse rapidly and widely in the air. Like secondhand smoke.

Apparently it is big in Mormon communities - lots of MLM schemes. The people involved are true believers and cannot accept that it makes some people really sick. I argued til I was blue in the face, brought in scientific articles, etc. That whole industry is right up there with tobacco companies for misleading pseudoscience and denialism.

There is a good documentary on the fragrance industry that is pretty eye-opening, called "Stink". It's a bit sensationalist, but consistent with some of the research I've done on the industry, especially funding of sketchy "research" promoting essential oils with health claims. FDA has slapped them for that.

The cost to me in terms of losing my low income housing has been incalculable. It wrecked my retirement. I am in dire financial straits because of it.

NJCher

(37,864 posts)
14. Sounds terrible
Mon Oct 21, 2024, 07:19 AM
Oct 21

I can see why you would have an issue with the scent industry after this.

I was especially concerned about my cat, but none of the scents have been an issue with him. I did not use orange because this is something known to be offensive to cats.

About half a dozen friends have been asked if they could detect the scent, even if it was running in another room. None could. One of the friends is employed in an industry where detecting scent is part of his job. He couldn’t detect it, either.

You must have been up against an extraordinary scent diffuser or you are unusually sensitive in that area. I do sympathize because I am that way with sound. I have to go to extraordinary means, including buying expensive equipment and even leaving my house for hours at a time. And yes, I am deeply resentful of it.

jmbar2

(6,088 posts)
16. I share your noise sensitivities as well
Mon Oct 21, 2024, 08:17 AM
Oct 21

I am so lucky that where I currently live is very well insulated for sound. However, I struggle to keep up with the rent.

It is characteristic of folks who are scent-sensitive to be unusually sensitive to odors. I can smell neighbor's dryer vents when they use perfumed sheets from inside my unit, and sometimes even smell perfumes in cars driving by! It is truly a curse.

mopinko

(71,797 posts)
11. music, too.
Mon Oct 21, 2024, 06:40 AM
Oct 21

when i was a hospice volunteer, we’d ask what kind of music ppl liked, and we’d play it on our phones. it opens doors.
if they were/are music lovers, a greatest hits compilation wd b a good gift.

Joinfortmill

(16,377 posts)
8. Oh dear, very sad and difficult for you.
Mon Oct 21, 2024, 06:22 AM
Oct 21

They are in their own world, but you must deal with reality. Take care of yourself, and take advantage of any assistance available. Sending good vibes your way.

HeartsCanHope

(735 posts)
9. It's amazing how much Dementia patients remember from the past.
Mon Oct 21, 2024, 06:24 AM
Oct 21

I helped one of my neighbors watch her father a couple of times so she could go to the doctor. He was really restless till we got out photo albums, and then he not only calmed down, but shared stories with us about his family and friends! He didn't remember his daughters' names when they visited, but when looking at the photo albums he could recall the names of the soldiers he served with, knew his family members--(including his daughters as children,) talked about family trips--it was amazing! Your very kind deed for your wife's son will bring him hours of enjoyment. Thank you.

Blue Full Moon

(1,153 posts)
13. Sorry I know what is like
Mon Oct 21, 2024, 07:07 AM
Oct 21

Besides the aroma therapy. Watching sugar and cutting out beef helps. Another thing is download a sound generator like Sonic 40 Hz and light bulb also 40 Hz.

MLAA

(18,598 posts)
15. Very kind of you to think of your stepson in such a tangible way.
Mon Oct 21, 2024, 07:40 AM
Oct 21

Being a care giver can be exhausting. My dear husband has lost most of his short term memory, but fortunately there has been no change to his personality. That would certainly make caregiving so much harder. Sending you hugs!

Aussie105

(6,254 posts)
20. Thanks for all the positivity in the feedback.
Mon Oct 21, 2024, 05:59 PM
Oct 21

It's greatly appreciated.

It's made me feel a lot better about the whole situation.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Health»I did a thing today!