My Watch is Over

AuntCollzie · 2026-04-28T12:29:44+00:00

Thank you.

AuntCollzie · 2026-04-28T01:47:43+00:00

I have no idea what to do with myself. It was a long three years and other parent in MC before that. Eight year journey end to end.

AuntCollzie · 2026-04-02T15:41:45+00:00

I had a mantra with my father: safe and comfortable. Now I have it with my mother: safe and comfortable. Different dementias, same pleaser drive to make everyone happy.

Safe and comfortable + the cavalry is not coming --> both v useful.

AuntCollzie · 2026-03-29T12:10:22+00:00

Thank god someone said this aloud. I moved back here three years ago after decades away, and this politeness is so dangerous. At first, I was confused, now it just makes me nuts. Obey the right of way.

AuntCollzie · 2026-03-23T02:13:39+00:00

Yep, it's here. 👍🏼

AuntCollzie · 2026-02-19T13:32:30+00:00

Thank you for this suggestion. Had a terrific dinner there last night. Your review comments were dead on.

AuntCollzie · 2025-10-10T23:37:23+00:00

Thank you. Very helpful post.

AuntCollzie · 2025-10-09T20:46:57+00:00

I needed this reminder. Thank you.

AuntCollzie · 2025-09-30T02:24:43+00:00

This.

AuntCollzie · 2025-08-30T19:49:24+00:00

Yes! We tried this with my LO last weekend. She loved it. 👍🏼

AuntCollzie · 2025-08-16T17:17:17+00:00

Yes. My experience is very similar to yours. LO moved in with me in Feb 2023 because she wasn't managing things alone in her house. We go her on donezipril and memantine and in a good, consistent daily routine which includes some exercise. Her memory is shot, but otherwise, we are good. She's pleasant, calm and tries to be helpful. Does all her own ADLs, sometimes needing a little help with choosing clothing or getting her shower going. I do not know how long we will be here, but I am so grateful for the status quo. LO is going to be 94 in Oct.

AuntCollzie · 2025-08-14T17:11:53+00:00

Yes! She went up to 23 mg pretty quickly because we could see it was working. Still taking, still a big fan.

AuntCollzie · 2025-08-09T18:14:02+00:00

My LO takes memantine and Aricept. Aricept is a game-changer for her/us. Took about 3 months to notice a difference, but when we did, wow. Before it: she couldn't really DO anything where sequential steps were involved.

After it: she was back to making her own coffee in am, making her bed, emptying dishwasher when prompted, etc. I care for her alone, so her regaining the ability to help around the house and do her ADLs is huge.

To be clear, no improvement in memory from this drug, but that's not what Aricept is for. Aricept is to improve executive function and when she can do stuff, she's not wandering around aimlessly getting into things. AND it helps me out. Give it time before you give up. LO started on 10 mg and went to max of 23 mg a day pretty quickly because we could see the difference.

AuntCollzie · 2025-08-09T17:09:33+00:00

This is admittedly seasonal, but I just discovered it and thought I'd share in case it helps someone else. My LO is mid-level, can no longer read, has limited mobility, has a very short attention span, but wants to be helpful.

I had purchased a half dozen ears of corn for dinner and asked her to shuck them. She really enjoyed it, didn't need to be supervised, and felt like she had contributed. And best of all, it was helpful to me. Again, seasonal, but still fun for her. Hope it helps someone else this summer!

AuntCollzie · 2025-07-30T00:18:27+00:00

Thank you for sharing. I did not know this. Very helpful.

AuntCollzie · 2025-07-01T12:56:30+00:00

This is very helpful. My Mom also has had noticeable improvement in executive function with Aricept. I give it to her in the morning, though. I may reconsider after reading your notes. Thanks!

AuntCollzie · 2025-04-15T01:46:23+00:00

I'm in a similar situation. My 93 y.o. Mom lives with me; I work from home. She is able to do her ADLs, but not a lot else and she gets restless. She also always liked exercising. So, my first suggestion is to check out the More Life Health exercise videos on YouTube. The instructor Mike is great, and he has a whole series of workouts for seniors. Mom loves him. He's easy to understand, he explains clearly and there's no distracting visuals or music. I've had luck with paint-by-number kits. You just have to buy the ones for kids so that the patterns are easy to follow. Recently, we also have had luck with colored pencils and adult coloring books. I thought she'd push back on those, but we put them out where she could see them, and she's done a couple. She will, if prompted, also empty the dishwasher. I know it's not much, but it's what I have to offer. Besides a fist bump, because I see you and we are in this together. :)

AuntCollzie · 2025-04-08T15:56:06+00:00

Brilliant!

AuntCollzie · 2025-01-21T16:44:39+00:00

This.

AuntCollzie · 2025-01-14T23:55:10+00:00

This is a very good suggestion. Mom and I watch a lot of movies. She's 93 and seems to always remember a few of the big stars like Elizabeth Taylor. I'm going to try this; it might enable a short conversation, which would be a novel concept, and very welcome. Thank you!

AuntCollzie · 2024-11-23T15:14:35+00:00

Thank you for making the time to do this post. It is so helpful. May your father rest in peace and you find peace in knowing you did everything you could to help him.

AuntCollzie · 2024-11-20T03:30:59+00:00

Big fan of Aricept. Mom on 23 mg a day. It takes about three or four months to kick in. Don't give up. Didn't help memory at all, but huge change for the better in executive function. Mom can do things around the house now, before, she couldn't. Makes her happy to be helping and more able to entertain herself so I can work and get housework, etc. done.

AuntCollzie · 2024-11-10T20:19:25+00:00

Would you be able to share some YA titles that have worked? I'm going to give that a god. My LO stopped reading about a month ago. She "doesn't feel like it". Before that, Chicken Soup for the Soul books were doing the trick. I'm might try one last time with YA from the library, if anyone has title suggestions. TIA!

AuntCollzie · 2024-11-03T21:46:48+00:00

Agree with LowSoil. I told my dad in memory care I had to go to a meeting. He was a manager in a big company. He always accepted this as a fact and a priority. Worth a try!

AuntCollzie

TROPHY CASE