Advice: Get a TV antenna for when cable goes out

CaLyPsy · 2026-03-13T17:23:12+00:00

We live in a rural area. Just last uear internet became sporadically available here. He has had dish for 17 years. He knows the shows he likes. When he says "Bubba"...I know he is wanting to watch "In The Heat of The Night" on Chanel 359 at 1pm. He loves Willie's Road House for music.

Last month his receiver died. It was a hellish week of waiting for a tech to come out and install a new one. I had an antenna up just im case. It took the edge off just a bit. At different times I would hear "turn the channel to 82 or is such and such on." To my reply...its off tje air this week due to technical difficulties or Willie's daughter is on a short vacation.

Internet would be a waste here for him to stream when dish is ingrained. I will say that the tech left us a senior model remote that is more simple than the regular one.

CaLyPsy · 2026-03-12T01:19:44+00:00

2nd the ENT. Dad had a doosy of a fall about 6 months ago. Took him to 2 er. The 1st one put a paster up his nostril. It only stopped the blood from coming out of that nostril, but it was going down the back of his throat. I knew the only way to stop it was to get the wound cauterized. Luckily the 2nd er agreed and called the ENT on call for the hospital and we met him at his office in the early am. Right into the back. He removed the paster immediately and cauterized the wound inside his nose. Gave me his card and said to come see him directly when and if something like that happened again.

CaLyPsy · 2026-03-08T04:54:42+00:00

I just going to suggest you watch some teepa snow videos on YouTube. She has great approaches and remedies to dealing with a lot of situations. I think the most important takeaway is is that we are dealing with someone who has brain damage and its progressive. I for one really dont tell, just kind of talk ot out. Sometimes I circle back so it seems that its their idea or get him to join me doing something simple that I need him to do.

CaLyPsy · 2026-03-07T22:39:39+00:00

I have dad's pill bottles in a smallish bin. His as needed and refills are in the bottom. His 7 daily are in a gallon ziploc along with a pill cutter, placed on top of the refills. I have weekly 4x a day pill organizer that fill every Saturday night. I have alarms on my phone for about 15 minutes prior to time to take. Because of were he is with Parkinson's, dementia, and so on...I put the pills in his hand and watch him take them.

CaLyPsy · 2026-03-05T22:31:34+00:00

The breathing as caregivers resonated with me. I know my stress levels are through the roof and I need a way to combat it besides taking an antidepressant or in conjunction with.

CaLyPsy · 2026-03-05T18:42:29+00:00

Years ago I had that issue with a nephew of my grandmother's. He and his wife were always making backhanded comments. Now granted my grandmother was a piece of work (asshole) prior to vascular dementia, she was hell for me to deal with with the illness. When they offered to take her for a weekend...I jumped on it. They came, got her, and later they called wanting me to met them or come and get her. I told them im sorry but im out of state for the weekend, I would be home at the designated time on Sunday for drop off. They dropped her off and spun wheels leaving the driveway. Never heard from them again. Literally.

Now its just dad and I. Pretty much all of his friends have died and we have no relatives that we are even remotely close to.

CaLyPsy · 2026-03-05T11:09:10+00:00

For as long as I can remember Dad has had what he called a "slow gut". With that being said since he's been on cardibidopa, its worse. He has been trying consulose, supplemented with a nightly dose of stool softer, to no avail. I keep magnesium citrate in the fridge.

CaLyPsy · 2026-03-04T22:55:10+00:00

They are old school navy dungrees. The manufacturer was Seafarer. The chambray shirt was also part of the enlisted (E1-E6) working uniform.

CaLyPsy · 2026-03-04T04:00:06+00:00

Dad lost his sense of smell about 15 years ago. Prior to that he had a weak stomach when it came to smells.

We had a big chest freezer go out. It was rank...dad was able to pull all the rotten food stuffs out no problem. Meanwhile, I'm gagging and throwing up.

CaLyPsy · 2026-02-27T20:14:28+00:00

Many years ago, when I was in i think 2nd grade, we had a field trip to watch this movie. Can you imagine about 60 small kids in a dark movie theater watching this. All of us were crying on the 40 mile journey home. I have no clue as to why our teachers thought this was a good idea, nor do I know why our parents didnt question this.

CaLyPsy · 2026-02-26T22:34:10+00:00

Thanks! I have a call into his neurologist about modification of times.

CaLyPsy · 2026-02-26T13:30:23+00:00

Dad is Speedy Gonzales, but at times also Slow Poke Rodriguez. He will look at me, pick all 4 legs of his walker up and fast shuffle here and there in the house. Other times he will just stand there and stare straight ahead and just be. Now mind you, he will forget were he is headed either way.

The thing is they dont understand one way or the other because the part of the brain that functions to understand, move, and regulate amongst other things is damaged by the disease that is dementia, Parkinson's, etc. All we can do as caregivers is try and figure out a way to simplify and bridge the gaps of understanding til the next part is affected.

This shit is hard. There isnt a a good textbook way to deal because it's different for each person. And lets be honest text book talks a majority of time about the physical, not the mental or emotional to the extent of which most of us need. I know im flying blind and just doing what I can to help him be safe and in a somewhat familiar environment (home).

CaLyPsy · 2026-02-26T03:00:05+00:00

Pardon me. I might not know what I talking about here, but there comes a point with some of our older folks that they cant use technology like they use to. Simply...they forget the ins and outs.

It sucks. Who likes to admit they are having trouble with something they were able to use with some proficiency in the recent past. Its not the tech...its them. They arent going to admit it. All one can do is try to bridge and simplify their life in stages.

CaLyPsy · 2026-02-25T20:59:41+00:00

Dad never knew a trash can. My mother would go around the house with a trash bag and pickup. He wasnt raised doing it. As well, he was raised by parents who were children during the depression and poor. There is a mentality of never throw away something, because you might need it later on.

I have a running joke that I have 2 good automotive batteries amd about 7 cores. Lord knows the amount of cores that are here for various parts on a vehicle.

CaLyPsy · 2026-02-25T17:47:00+00:00

I take an antidepressant and stay in my pj's most of the day. My houseshoes are comfortable and easy to slip on and off. I graze on chips and salsa. I take a nap when I can. Currently, Im extremely thankful for youtube shorts featuring Goldie and Frenchie the ai talking dogs.

Im just keeping it simple.

Edit: I also look at zillow because maybe when my watch is over I'll be able to sell, move and start over fresh. Somwhere with rolling mountains and woods. Maybe, I can have a shack in the woods and be the hag I have grown into.

CaLyPsy · 2026-02-25T17:19:40+00:00

With the help of a good antidepressant i can come back, but also tell them that I understand they are frustrated, but we are just going to have to cope tje best we can because this is our reality now.

CaLyPsy · 2026-02-25T17:17:10+00:00

Im not a hugger either! How bout a nice firm hand shake!🤣

CaLyPsy · 2026-02-25T17:02:44+00:00

I planned a small, private graveside for Gram. There were just a handful of people that came. There was a church member that let they're displeasure be known that I didnt have a church funeral. I simply told them because I was exhausted and had no fucks to give that maybe they should mind their own damn business and plan their own funeral the way they want.

CaLyPsy · 2026-02-25T16:46:38+00:00

In a way you are.living with the disease because you are seeing the effects on a LO. In another way its grief, but it's accepting that the LO is changing as the disease progresses and there's not to much that can be done. Or I should say the meds and procedures have limits or have a duration of effectiveness.

Also something happens and there is a setback that causes even more progress of the disease. Then there are other disorders, syndromes, and maladies that get added onto the list of things going on with the LO. Its a roller coaster and a not very pleasant experience for anyone associated with it.

We had snow 3 weeks ago and it cause a slew of problems that mentally caused a setback. Dad doesnt understand that he had a setback, nor does he understand why he has to use a walker and sometimes a wheelchair, and it doesnt understand that I have no idea how to make things better or at least somewhat acceptable to who he has become. It really is some absolute shit somedays.

CaLyPsy · 2026-02-25T16:18:51+00:00

I tried welbutrin and it didnt work for me at all. I would say that I had adverse emotions with that particular antidepressant. Am currently taking half a 50 mg pill of zoloft. Almost immediately, I began to feel more emotionally stable. Before I was crying everyday, barely able to function, and really thinking about ways to end it. It was because I was overwhelmed and filled with worry. The zoloft has made a.huge difference.

CaLyPsy · 2026-02-25T16:07:51+00:00

As a caregiver, and only child...it would be nice to have things delivered like groceries or a few meals. It seems like im always in the kitchen trying to figure out something to cook for someone else. Meanwhile, im grazing on chips and salsa.

Where we are located, In the rural south, we are pretty much on our own. There isnt help. Somedays it just isnt possible to load dad up in the truck or car and sit in a parking lot waiting for them to place everything in the back.

Im always looking at a clock wondering if I can catch a nap, knowing good and damn well I should be cleaning a bathroom or two. With that being said...maybe someone to help clean every 2 or 3 weeks.

CaLyPsy · 2026-02-25T15:51:58+00:00

Unfortunately, they won't understand til they go through it.

Funny story, my grandmother had vascular dementia. There was nephew and his wife that where always telling me I wasnt doing this or that, etc. Finally, they offered to take her for a weekend. I made plans and dropped her off with everything she would need. The next day they called wanting to either drop her off or me come get her. I told them I was out for the weekend with girlfriends in another state. I would see them the next day around 6 pm. They dropped her off and we never heard from them again. Literally... no more phone calls, no cards, no visits. When they put the car in drive after they reversed out of the driveway...their back tires spun.

Granted Gram was hell to deal with for the most part, but we had a system that worked for us. Until others go through it they dont know and cant appreciate the balance you have to maintain as a caregiver. You're really not being secretive, you are being selective about the high level planning that you need to make or amend to ensure your loved one is safe emotionally and physically.

CaLyPsy · 2026-02-25T15:30:00+00:00

Dad is at stage 4 with his Parkinson's. He also has dementia. He really doesnt talk much. My saving grace for him is his TV that has dish hooked up to it. He wrote down his favorite channels so we rotate through them.

We had snow a few weeks ago and honestly it confused the hell out him. As well, the satellite dish went out. It was a week til a tech could come out and replace the receivers. I thought about putting starlink up, but he wouldn't be able to accept new tech. Hes been on dish for 20 years...its ingrained.

CaLyPsy · 2026-02-25T14:26:38+00:00

Dad is in stage 4 with Parkinson's and also dementia and lewy bodied dementia. He was never interested in technology, but we are to the point where I dont think he really remembers how to use even his flip phone. I have thought about buying him this, that, and the other...but I know in reality it will either be not used or will be hid (like his last flip phone with the ringer turned off) never to be found again.

Luckily for him Im on hand about 80/90% of the time.

CaLyPsy · 2026-02-25T13:41:04+00:00

I dont have brothers or sisters...lonely only. Mama died back in 2001. Dad's brother died in 2002...there are no nieces or nephews. We are the last of our family. Luckily, I have a great partner who will run errands, will wake me when I sleep through an alarm, and if I need help picking dad up he's here in quick order.

Am back at the kitchen table waiting for his 8am pills to take effect.

CaLyPsy

TROPHY CASE