The Essence of Jim Still Manages to Shine Through the Cloud of Dementia

When I look back a year ago, it is shocking to me how much Jim has declined over this relatively short period of time. A year ago Jim was still driving. We were in a transition period where I knew that before too long, he would no longer be safe to drive.  A year ago I was able to leave the house for a period of time leaving Jim alone. Mechanical tools and equipment were becoming difficult for him to use. 

He had some problems with word finding, but was able to communicate fairly clearly, for the most part. I was just starting to feel the frustration and worry about being caregiver to my elderly mom and still be available for Jim. My brother and his wife have taken over the caregiving responsibilities for my mom, and for that I am forever grateful. She is in good hands. Unfortunately her cancer has returned. At 88 it is not clear what options there are for her. She has an upcoming appointment where she will learn more about the latest diagnostic testing results and recommendations. 

Since my last post I found and attended a support group for caregivers of folks with dementia. It was a little disappointing. There were only 3 in attendance (including the facilitator) and quite a bit of the conversation was off topic between the facilitator and the other person present. At one point the facilitator asked me what I considered my biggest challenge. My practical mind immediately thought of finances, but as I sat there I became overwhelmed with emotion as I said "I miss my husband. I feel like I am losing a bit more of him with every passing day." 

I don't allow myself to dwell too much on the heartbreaking reality of our situation. If I did, I'd be a basket case. But every once in a while, it hits me hard. As far as the support group goes, I'll keep looking. Most groups meet just monthly. The one I attended is every other Thursday, which I feel is just what I need right now. So I'll keep going to this one until I find one that is a better fit for me. 

Dr. S. referred me to a psychologist to help me through this difficult period in my life. At first I wasn't certain I needed this level of support, but now I know that I do. 

Jim is receiving wonderful care at the NH. I couldn't have hand-picked better staff myself. Just as an example, Jim and I were walking down one of the long hallways. Off in the distance I could hear Tiffany's soothing voice, saying such sweet things and obviously giving a lot of TLC to one of the residents. As I walked by the room, it occurred to me that how you behave when no one is looking is really the measure of character. Tiffany was giving her love and her time to this frail, bedridden elderly woman. It was a real "feel good" moment. 

I go every day, sometimes for the morning and sometimes for the afternoon. I look forward to it every day, as I get to see my sweetheart and be reassured that he is safe. I help him shave, brush his teeth and make any clothing changes that are needed. It gives me joy to be able to help him with these things. Staff are grateful as it frees them up to help those with greater physical needs. 

He's always happy to see me; we hug each other tight, kiss, and hold hands just like we always have. We've always been very affectionate with each other, and none of that has changed! I am so grateful for that. He has no sense of where he is; he doesn't ask me where I've been. He may think he is at home; one day he asked me if I just got home from work. I went with it and said yes. 

The food is delicious! They have round dining tables that seat 6 (there's always room for me to squeeze in too). Over lunch the other day one of Jim's table mates, Don, said something to Jim that was totally unintelligible. Jim smiled and chuckled and said something back to Don that also was unintelligible. Then both of them were laughing! They were having a grand old time! 

What I have found fascinating is Jim's response to others who seem confused or in distress. The essence of who Jim is responds in ways that can only be described as therapeutic. I've seen him try to help someone find their room, he consoles those who are distressed by patting their shoulder and telling them that "it will be OK". The recreation therapist told me she saw him counsel someone who was worried that her daughter hadn't been in to see her. That's my sweetheart! 

There have been some challenges, but I knew there would be. He is not always taking his medications. I remember at home the stunts I would have to pull to make sure he was taking his pills. Lots of sweet talk, ice cream, re-approaching, joking around...I had a lot of tricks up my sleeve. Staff are in a learning curve for how best to approach Jim. They have been very receptive to my suggestions. 

The last four nights he has not slept well, getting anywhere from 2 - 4 hours of sleep. Some of this is likely from the missed medications. So hopefully this will correct itself soon, as staff fine tune there approach with Jim.

He's had episodes of agitation, actually hitting staff. Fortunately it was not hard, and no one was hurt. I'm certain that this too is related to the missed medications. 

Physical therapy ended two days ago. This means that Medicare is no longer picking up the bill. So now private pay begins. I've had two productive meetings with Susan, my attorney and her two medicaid expert associates. I now am in a position where I understand legally what my options are and ways to preserve some of our assets. None of it is easy, or without some significant consequences. Tomorrow I meet with Geoff, the best financial advisor ever, who will help me to sort out the options and figure out what makes the most sense "financially and emotionally" (Geoff's words). 

Another wonderful opportunity for me to share what is on my mind and in my heart. Thank you to each one of you for stopping by. The kindness and support I receive from all my kind readers means the world to me, and I am forever grateful.

It's Been a While and a Lot Has Happened...

The day following my last post, Jim had an episode where he was severely agitated. Fortunately I had my phone and key fob in my pocket. He didn't know who I was, but was very angry at me, ordering me out of the house. So that is just what I did. I drove around for about 5 minutes, hoping that by leaving and then returning it would break the cycle. As I came driving down our driveway he opened the front door and shook his fist at me, yelling for me to "Get out of here!"

Heeding the advice of Jim's gerontologist, Dr. S., I  pulled out of the driveway and parked down the street where he could not see me and called 911. Obviously it was not safe for Jim to be home alone, and it was not safe for me to try to enter our home.

I was very careful to convey to the dispatcher that Jim had advanced dementia. He assured me he would pass this along to the responding officer. I was advised to wait in my car with the doors locked, out of sight, until the police arrived. And that is exactly what I did.

The police officer that arrived was wonderful. He spoke with me first to get a little background information. I made certain he was aware of the recommendation of Dr. S. that he be taken to the ER and then admitted for stabilization and medication adjustment. We then both walked down the driveway; Jim met us at the door. It was interesting to see the officer's reaction. I could tell he was shocked by how relatively young Jim looked, given his very advanced dementia.

Jim was still agitated towards me, but respectful of the police officer. At one point the officer indicated to me to back away; so I did. Somehow he managed to get Jim to agree to go to the hospital. I remained in the background, not wanting to interfere with how well the officer was managing the situation.

Fortunately I had my packet of emergency medical information ready to go. I was able to give a copy to the ambulance crew and then the ER doctor and nurse. Everyone that evaluated Jim in the ER was very curious about "our story". I"m certain it is because Jim looks so normal and looks too young to have such advanced dementia.

Jim was admitted and was in the hospital for about a week. While there he was more confused than ever. The doctor asked him his name and he said he couldn't remember 😢 That hit me really hard. I know that hospitalizations and illnesses will increase confusion when someone is vulnerable like Jim. But it still just broke my heart. I cannot imagine how he must have felt. He had no idea where he was, or even who he was.

He was very glad to see me and seemed to know who I was when I would visit him in the hospital. He had  an aide in the room at all times. At one point he went for about 48 hours with NO sleep. Finally they added a sleep aid and he started to sleep at least a few hours every night.

While he was in the hospital I would visit 3 times a day, staying about a couple of hours each time. It was a difficult week as I struggled to figure out what I was going to do. I was exhausted and worried sick about Jim. What was I going to do?

The doctor at the hospital (who also happens to be a gerontologist) told me that there really were no further adjustments that they could make for Jim's medications. There might be a little tweaking, but nothing that would address the severe agitation that Jim was experiencing.

In a very kind way, he told me he was concerned about my well-being and that it was not safe for Jim to be at home. He shared with me a few stories of caregivers who had been hurt by a spouse with dementia. I listened carefully to what he had to say.

Dr. S. called me after she had spoken to the doctor at the hospital and essentially told me the same thing. She agreed that maybe there might be some little changes that could be made in his medications, but that his case was so challenging, she did not believe it was safe for him to live at home with me.

Toward the end of the week the hospital social worker told me that he met the criteria for needing some physical therapy, given his increased weakness and his problems with balance. She suggested nursing home rehabilitation and pointed out that this would buy me some time while I figured out what I was going to do.

Medicare picks up 100% of the bill for nursing home placement for up to 21 days. But only if there is a skilled nursing need (such as PT) and only for as long as the person shows progress. Once the person plateaus, the funding ends. At that point it becomes private pay for $144,000/year.

It's a long story, but I almost got tricked into accepting placement at one of the worst nursing homes in the area. Thanks to knowing someone with the right connections, Jim was accepted at a nursing home for short term rehabilitation. This particular nursing home is considered one of the very best in the area.

So, that is where he is, at a nursing home for rehab. He is getting PT. Once he plateaus and medicare payment stops, I'll need to have a plan B. I'm working on that....

Now for the part that is almost unbelievable. Jim is happy and content. He has no idea where he is. He is always happy to see me when I come to see him. He never asks "where were you?". He never asks to go home. He loves it.

The unit is locked, and everyone on the unit has dementia. The shape is rectangular, so that people who like to walk can just keep walking and remain safe. There is a very large courtyard in the center that folks can enjoy when the weather is good.

They have activities available from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, for those who are interested. Everything from ice cream social, movies, sing-a-longs, basketball (modified/from a chair), current events (only happy ones!), coffee hour, and of course don't forget happy hour with non-alcoholic beer and wine, cheese and crackers.

The staff love Jim. He is without a doubt the youngest person there and one of the more mobile ones. The staff are amazingly good with folks. Kindness and gentleness prevail. As I look at how active Jim is and how much he loves it, I realize that I could never provide for him like that at home.

So, what do I do.......I'm in the process of figuring that out. What's best for Jim is top priority, but the financial piece has to work too. I've met with our attorney (the one who did our power-of-attorney, health care proxy and wills), and I have another appointment with her later this coming week to talk more about what options I might be able to pursue legally, taking into account the financial implications.

I thought I would share with you something personal. A few weeks ago I realized that I was feeling very overwhelmed and very, very sad. I found that I was crying a lot. Usually first thing in the morning and late in the evening. Somehow I would manage to pull myself together for the day to make sure I was there for Jim.

I was smart enough to realize that things were going to get worse, not better, and that I should get some help for myself. Every time I have seen Dr. S. (she is my doctor too), she always asks me if I am doing OK, and she reminds me that depression is very common among caregivers. I always reassured her that I was fine, but that I would let her know if I needed some help. Well, the time had come.

So, I made an appointment for myself. Dr. S. was wonderful! She told me that she could tell I was under a tremendous amount of stress. My blood pressure has always run very low my whole life. The top number usually is barely 100, and the bottom number in the 70's. At this office visit my BP was 130/88 and heart rate was 98! I guess my body was trying to tell me something.

She started me on an SSRI. It usually takes a little time before you notice an improvement. I am very pleased to tell you that I feel so much better! I know that Jim and I are in a difficult situation with no easy answers, but somehow I now feel much better equipped psychologically to handle what ever comes our way.

I remember telling Dr. S. that I wasn't anxious, just sad. Boy, was I fooling myself! The difference is just incredible. I saw a very good friend of mine yesterday. Amy and I have been friends for many years. Her life is incredibly busy for a lot of reasons, including that she is younger than me and still works full time. So we have not seen each other in a long time. But we email, text and talk on the phone to keep in touch. It became especially hard to see each other when Jim's condition worsened and I needed to be here to provide around the clock care.

When I saw Amy yesterday she couldn't believe that I didn't look more stressed! And she is right. I really do have a sense of calm, knowing that I can control only so much; I have to let the rest go knowing that I will deal with it the very best I can.

So dear readers, thanks for reading this very long post. There is a part 2, which I will post later in the week. I include all of you when I think about all the wonderful support I have on this journey with dementia. And for that I am so very grateful.