Update/Banter, Stimulation and Coconut Oil Share…….

 

A Quick Update……..

My fellow trustees and I had a meeting with the bank  manager last week and are awaiting our charity account number.

Then we can get the ball rolling with all the wonderful things we got planned:-

A stall at The Rotary Duck Race on the 26th May 2014

Performing Arts Concert  date TBC

Charity Tandem Skydive, Redlands, Swindon 23rd August 2014

Community Fun Day date TBC

Christmas Variety Ball date TBC

We are planning to do loads of fun things, whilst raising awareness about Alzheimer’s in Dementia and funds for local people who have it and their carers. We will ask them what they would like to do and try to make it happen.  It might be a trip to the zoo, or  watching a show, or visiting a country house. We plan to provide them with a good day out and the support to do it. Then over the Christmas season we hope to host a nice meal for them too.

 

And A Nice Share……..

After a day of exercise at the gym, laughter and another injury free day under our belts( I stopped Dad falling and took the weight of his body last week) Dad repeated, to one of his carers a nick name of banter, she  had taught him yesterday. He said, you told me to call Stella that two days ago. She taught him to call me B***h T*ts, which has been the source of great amusement. We looked at each other and laughed, with shock and amazement! Now he was out by one day, but aren’t people with Alzheimer’s supposed to lose their short term memories? Now I know, Dad doesn’t remember  absolutely everything. But, wow wow wow, and howwwwww?

All I know is we talk about everything and Dad is like one of the girls with the carers. By that I mean it isn’t all face packs and doing our nails. But its including him in the joke and listening to him and his stories. Taking  the time to explain whats going on and telling him he is in his own home, using the furniture as a markers and telling him where he is if and when he forgets. Greeting him as  he greets us with a smile in the voice and a laugh to be had through banter and friendship. Even if its the millionth time and having the bravery to hear it again and/or read the situation and explain the truth of the situation, or go with his reality if it suits the occasion.

Dad and I are lucky! I really don’t know if it is the combination of the medication and the coconut oil, him living in his own home, having a loved one  and agency carers, looking after him in his own home, or just the way the illness is progressing in him in general.  It is so hard to measure any significant changes, and to have a definitive answer. Thanks to those people who have emailed and inquired about the coconut oil, I will keep my eye on it. I take it too and we both have it in our cereal in the mornings. I think it probably helps people in different ways. If I had to be pinned down on how it has effected Dad I’d say it helps his short term memory and alertness at times.