Wow! I can't believe its March 16th already! However it does not feel like spring around here. I am very tired of snow right now. Normally I don't mind winter but this has been a long one. I am often reminded of the little song I like to sing:
Title: Bring Back the Springtime
Lyrics: Kurt Kaiser, 1970
When in the spring, the flowers are blooming bright and fair,
After the grey of winter’s gone.
Once again the lark begins his tuning,
Back in the meadows of my heart.
Chorus
Lord, to my heart bring back the springtime.
Take away the cold and dark of sin.
And, Oh refill me now, sweet Holy Spirit:
May I warm and tender be again.
Lord, make me like that stream that flows so cool and clear
Down from the mountains high above;
I will tell the world the wondrous story
Of the precious stream filled with your Love.
Chorus
Lord, to my heart bring back the springtime.
Take away the cold and dark of sin.
And, Oh refill me now, sweet Holy Spirit:
May I warm and tender be again.
It can be springtime in our hearts as we wait on the Lord, and ask God to bring back the springtime as we are facing life’s challenges. It has been challenging at times having Angela and the kids live here while they get their home in Thompson ready to sell. But I have also been grateful for the company while Nelson is away on his long-haul trips.
I have been in touch with my mom and dad regularly since christmas. Dad is coping as best as he can, but it is heartbreaking for him to see my mom deteriorate into her own world. Her good days are diminishing and the bad days are increasing. Alziehmers is not a kind disease, it strips its victims of reality and a sense of self. I found this website which gave ten tips when communicating with alzhiemers patients:
Tips for communicating with a mid-stage (or later)
Alzheimer’s
patients.
- Make eye contact. Always approach them face-to-face and make eye
contact. Use their name if you need to. It is vital that they actually see you
and that their attention is focused on you. Read their eyes. Always approach
from the front as approaching and speaking from the side or from behind can
startle them.
- Be at their level. Move your head to be at the same level as their
head. Bend your knees or sit down to reach their level. Do not stand or hover
over them – it is intimidating and scary. They can’t focus on you and what you
are saying if they are focused on their fear.
- Tell them what you are going to do before you do it. Particularly if
you are going to touch them. They need to know what is coming first so that they
don’t think that you are grabbing them.
- Speak calmly. Always speak in a calm manner with an upbeat tone of
voice, even if you don’t feel that way. If you sound angry or agitated, they
will often mirror that feeling back to you and then some.
- Speak slowly. Speak at one half of your normal speed when talking to
them. Take a breath between each sentence. They can not process words as fast as
non-diseased people can. Give them a chance to catch up to your words.
- Speak in short sentences. Speak in short direct sentences with only
one idea to a sentence. Usually they can only focus on only one idea at a time.
- Only ask one question at a time. Let them answer it before you ask
another question. You can ask who, what, where and when, but NOT why. Why is too
complicated. They will try to answer, fail and get frustrated.
- Don’t say “remember”. Many times they will not be able to do so, and
you are just pointing out to them their shortcomings. That is insulting, and can
cause anger and/or embarrassment.
- Turn negatives into positives. For example say “Let’s go here”
instead of “Don’t go there”. Be inclusive and don’t talking down to them as if
they were a child. Respect the fact that they are an adult, and treat them as
such.
- Do not argue with them. It gets you nowhere. Instead, validate their
feelings, by saying” I see that you are angry (sad, upset, etc…). It lets them
know that they are not alone and then redirect them into another thought. For
example “It sounds like you miss your mother (husband, father, etc…). You love
them very much, don’t you? Tell me about the time…” Then ask for one of their
favorite stories about that person).
My mom is still in the mid-stage but she is progressing quickly. It's just a matter of time before I will have to go home again. I promised my dad that I would be there if mom needs to be moved to the personal care home. They have been together for over 60 years it will be very difficult for them to be separated. Sharon and myself are prepared to go home when this becomes a reality.
My sweet sweet mom it is so painful to see this happening to her. Please pray for my parents as they go through this difficult time in their lives. Once again I am so grateful they are in a place where their physical needs are cared for. I know that family and friends have been calling regularly, THANK-YOU, it really does help my dad feel like he is not alone. I want to say a big Thank-you to Aunt Louise and Joe for being there for them, as well as Aunt Marge and Uncle Al, Aunt Jean and Uncle Wilf.
Nelson and I are headed out West next week to visit with Bradley Vivian and the kids in Langham Saskatchewan; Sharon, Sheila, Clarice, Jamie and families in Lloydminster; and then on to Whitecourt to visit with Nelson's mom, brothers, and cousins out that way. Nelson's mom is on her way back to NFLD for a while. She is an amazing woman, even with her Parkinson's nothing slows her down. How does one have 16 children and still live to be 82??? She is such an inspiration.
Anyway dear readers allow the springtime of our heavenly father to permeate your hearts as winter takes its flight. God Bless!
