Dealing with Not Wanting to go to Doctors

My mother does not want to do Anything for her health beyond taking vitamins and exercise. This would be fine but she has very thin bones and dementia.
So, when it came to needing bloodwork I said we were going for a cholesterol test which she went along with. She does not want to go to the doctors for a check-up so I said we were going to get her ears cleaned. (She is getting them cleaned)
It is difficult forcing someone who used to be your parent to do things they do not want to. Especially when they believe they are quite capable of living on their own and do not understand why or how they ended up where they are. All she knows is that she wants OUT of her apartment.

TV Countdown

I received the converter box from mom's cable company.
She says her tv is fine, which it is for now.
I will wait until it goes blank, then install the box.
one problem-
she will forget that it went blank.

Pumpkins

I brought mother to crafts today.
We painted pumpkins.
She had to stifle herself from complaining, I know it is not her thing.
I let her pick out the paint- pink and blue, and did not instruct her as to what
"should" go on a pumpkin but let her do her own thing.
She painted a blue person with flowers in their hand on one side
and a pink and blue animal of some sort (lol) on the other.
No photos because we left them behind to decorate some future party.
Then off for a short walk, we were both pretty tired today.

A Need to Feel Needed

My father has a friend at the home!
She is 102 and according to dad has no one to see to her needs.
He has a giant expensive bouquet of flowers delivered to her room every month, and the staff says he pushes her wheelchair to meals.
He has requested for me to bring over some large ziplock bags to replace her torn ones to store do-dads.
I am glad he has found a friend and a purpose, and I know it brings her joy.

Take This Away From Me

The anxiety I have about the basic cable going digital business is too much.
She doesn't understand and it is going to be a nightmare of confusion like it
was last year when I hooked her antennae to a converter box.
Back then she was unplugging the box and changing the tv off ch3 and screwing
it all up and I was constantly having to go over and reset it all.
god take this away from me......

Elderly and Digital TV

My mother has zero concept of digital tv.
All she does NOT want is a new tv or box with new remote that she wont know how to use.
As it is, the analog tv she uses has buttons on the front that she presses to control it instead of the remote.
This is hell.
Both my mother and father have analog tv's.

"Don't Make Me Feel Bad For Not Being The Old Me"

Thank goodness I am not like this daughter.
Personally, I find an ease communicating with those who cannot-
namely animals... So I think it gives me an edge.
And I accept my mother at each stage so far- but I think it's because she is still somewhat capable.

http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2011/10/understanding-living-with-dementia.html

Typical Day

Got a text from my sister saying dad called her, he "lost his keys and can I go over and find them :( " with a frowny face-
My brain thought of all kinds of snippy answers-- why? Because he has tons of staff over there that can do that for him, not my problem that he is paranoid to have them come into his room. I just answered 'why, is he alone?"
Went over to mother's and saw the pile of underwear in question from yesterday- she told me it was just there to put away but I knew she still thought they weren't hers, they would be in her drawer. I set up the vacuum for her and I proceeded to wash the bathroom and kitchen. When she wasn't looking I folded them and put them into her drawer. I know this isn't over though...
I am always astounded how much trash and recyclables this lady puts out- collected all this together, then had her inspect - god forbid I throw something away,right?

After I was done I did what I always do-
run home and suck down a cig.
Then take her for a walk.

Sis just texted 8 hours later wondering if I had taken care of the 'keys' issue with dad. Uh, no I have been busy with mother- Besides, I knew he had found them- he would have called me himself. Turns out he thought she had them. She made a big mistake of touching the keys (opened the door for his drunk ass)
I always have him fumble the lock himself, not that he would let me.
Never touch things of an elderly confused person without purposely pointing out where the object is NOW,and by having them touch it. I have done this countless times.

These Are Not My Underwear

Here we go again...
Third call tonight from my very confused mother insisting that she has somehow acquired men's underwear . Or that maybe she has picked up someone else's underwear from their home.
They are hers.
I told her I will look at them tomorrow and to please go to bed...

How do I keep my own sanity when barraged daily with
insanity

Embarrassed By Dementia ?

Some people are embarrassed to take their 'confused' people into the public to eat. Last week I took mother to a 'real' restaurant instead of fast food. She, of course, said she had been there many times (why does she say this about everything?) I made sure to find a fruit drink and a fish entree and order it for her before the waitress had a chance to badger her for a response. Unfortunately, the drink came in a glass taller than her-she couldnt even reach the straw! Also, there were chunks of fruit in it that clogged the straw- what a PIA. Anyways, I had her dig out the ice onto a plate and she proceeded to use her fork and dig out the fruit- LOL!
I am not embarrassed by her.
If she forgets how to use a fork, we'll get chicken tenders.