what to do?

How do you make someone eat that does not want to? For a while colored plates worked. For a time fingers foods worked. But, now it seems the taste of food is repulsive to my mom. We now put food in her hand and hope she will raise it to her mouth. Or we feed her but, she only eats a very small amount and refuses anymore. How do you get a loved one to take pills when they don't want to take them? For awhile mixing her pills with applesauce worked. Then she began holding them in her mouth. Sometimes all night. I can not crush them all because they are coated for slower absorption. The ones I did crush she began spitting back out. I am out of ideas.

Luv it when that little light bulb goes off and I can say "ahhh"

At night when I can't sleep I run through some of moms actions trying to make sense of them. A few nights ago I was trying to figure out why mom walks around whining, moaning, why she startles so easily. I know she is drawing more into herself as the dementia takes her. But, that night I came to the understanding that maybe this is her way of communicating now. Since she can't converse with me this may be her way of saying I'm sad. I don't know what to do with myself. So instead of asking whats wrong? I tried hugs. a kiss on the cheek, an arm wrapped around her shoulder for comfort. That good old pat on the back. It worked, she smiles more now. The whining is less. I am learning we don't only communicate with words. We can sit quietly with a loved one arm wrapped around the shoulder and provide great comfort.

I felt for those of you who have not read my posting in the past this is very important information for a loved one with ALZ.

eye sight information
I was going through some of mom's medical reports and came across a statement of moms loss of visuospatial skill.This is what I found out.


This is one component of cognitive functioning and it refers to our ability to process and interpret visual information about where objects are in space.

This is an important aspect of cognitive functioning because it is responsible for a wide range of activities of daily living.

For instance, it underlies our ability to move around in an environment and orient ourselves appropriately. Locating steps. handrails. Visuospatial perception is also involved in our ability to accurately reach for objects in our visual field and our ability to shift our gaze to different points in space. Such as finding a chair behind us. Finding food on our plate. locating a glass on the table. Or the simple use of a spoon or fork.

Tips and hints I hope help others.

Noodles the swimming tool for children make great bumpers for sharp corners. Glowing stars that children use for their ceiling work well to line a door you want your loved one to notice at night ( like the bathroom.) I had put plastic runners down to protect the carpet from urine drips on the way to the bathroom. To keep my mom on the plastic path I picked up safety reflective tape. But, found it wasn't functional till I mounted lights ( battery mounted night lights). to the bars of her walker. So now she has head lights. It seems to be helping. Last but not least I want to say plastic colored plates make dinners easier. Mom is able to see her food better. Due to the color contrast. I picked bright blue. As well as using plastic wine glass for liquids. They are lighter and the stem is easier for her to hold onto. Hope this is helpful. Thank you for reading

No.....

The first word a child learns is no. But, with Alzheimer's it means nothing. I feel guilty correcting my mother all day. No you can't go down the steps. No it is raining you can't go outside. No. that is your son's bedroom. No that is my bedroom. Thank God for baby gates. I do not have to say no as often. Plus, my mom is safer.