At the recommendation of the Alzheimer spouse's group, I got "Loving Someone with Dementia" from the library. At first I wasn't sure I was going to read it after reading the first chapter but then I found it got more interesting so glad I persevered. One thing described at the current stage of the book is the extreme isolation which can happen to a caregiver. That is very true and thanks to people like ladydog and Kathy, it has alleviated mine somewhat. However, I think this current situation with Covid-19 must have made it a heck of a lot worse for a lot of caregivers many of whom have been cut off from their families and friends. Even though things have eased up a little, we still can't get close and hug people which for many of us is a big problem. One of the things discussed so far is lack of awareness too. I know I didn't know and "passed on the other side of the road" when I was told someone's spouse had Alzheimer's. Partly, probably, because I didn't want to know. I think many people tend to withdraw.
I finally solved a small problem. Matt has exercises to do and they are done with the PSW in the morning and again with me in the evening. However, Matt doesn't really have any interest in TV these days, unless it is a music show, so tends to go to bed early, often when I am right in the middle of a show I like. I don't get a lot of opportunity to watch such shows and a couple of times I let him go to bed without doing the exercises but then I felt guilty. Solved the problem by doing them at 4 in the afternoon. I have also been giving him some massage as suggested by the physiotherapist.
Tuesday morning is another Zoom meeting of the Alzheimer Spouses. This time I will have to keep an eye on Matt as last time he got upset thinking I hadn't been around all morning. Confusion. The meetings are usually 1 1/2 hrs but that was too long for him. He does seem to have lost any conception of time, or what time things happen like lunch and supper for instance.
I mentioned my gout the other day, I discovered that cherries are supposed to be good for gout so I have ordered some in my shopping this week. I like black cherries anyway and this is the time of year for them. I should probably give up booze too.
I wanted to eat this right off the picture. I really will have to try this.
Instant Pot Japanese Cheesecake
3 large eggs
4 oz cream cheese
4 oz white chocolate
1 tsp orange extract optional
1. Leave cream cheese out of the fridge for about 1 hour before cooking.
2. Separate yolks from egg whites and let them rest in the fridge until it’s time to use them
3. Melt chocolate in the microwave. Mix warm melted chocolate with cream cheese and stir until you obtain a smooth cream.
4. Add egg yolks, orange extract, and stir again until you obtain a soft and homogeneous batter.
5. Separately, beat your cold egg whites with an electric mixer, until they become stiff and glossy.
6. Slowly add your beaten egg whites to the other mixture, taking care of not forming any lumps and obtain a fluffy and smooth batter.
7. Line a cake pan with parchment paper.
8. Pour your batter into the cake pan.
9. Cover with foil.
10. Pour 1 1/2 cups of water into your Instant Pot and place the trivet correctly.
11. Place your cake pan onto the trivet.
12. Cook at high pressure for 17 minutes.
13. Let the steam release naturally and carefully remove your cake from the trivet.
14. Let it cool and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
Servings: 5
Source: Corrie Cooks
Have a great day, stay well, stay safe.
I finally solved a small problem. Matt has exercises to do and they are done with the PSW in the morning and again with me in the evening. However, Matt doesn't really have any interest in TV these days, unless it is a music show, so tends to go to bed early, often when I am right in the middle of a show I like. I don't get a lot of opportunity to watch such shows and a couple of times I let him go to bed without doing the exercises but then I felt guilty. Solved the problem by doing them at 4 in the afternoon. I have also been giving him some massage as suggested by the physiotherapist.
Tuesday morning is another Zoom meeting of the Alzheimer Spouses. This time I will have to keep an eye on Matt as last time he got upset thinking I hadn't been around all morning. Confusion. The meetings are usually 1 1/2 hrs but that was too long for him. He does seem to have lost any conception of time, or what time things happen like lunch and supper for instance.
I mentioned my gout the other day, I discovered that cherries are supposed to be good for gout so I have ordered some in my shopping this week. I like black cherries anyway and this is the time of year for them. I should probably give up booze too.
I wanted to eat this right off the picture. I really will have to try this.
Instant Pot Japanese Cheesecake
3 large eggs
4 oz cream cheese
4 oz white chocolate
1 tsp orange extract optional
1. Leave cream cheese out of the fridge for about 1 hour before cooking.
2. Separate yolks from egg whites and let them rest in the fridge until it’s time to use them
3. Melt chocolate in the microwave. Mix warm melted chocolate with cream cheese and stir until you obtain a smooth cream.
4. Add egg yolks, orange extract, and stir again until you obtain a soft and homogeneous batter.
5. Separately, beat your cold egg whites with an electric mixer, until they become stiff and glossy.
6. Slowly add your beaten egg whites to the other mixture, taking care of not forming any lumps and obtain a fluffy and smooth batter.
7. Line a cake pan with parchment paper.
8. Pour your batter into the cake pan.
9. Cover with foil.
10. Pour 1 1/2 cups of water into your Instant Pot and place the trivet correctly.
11. Place your cake pan onto the trivet.
12. Cook at high pressure for 17 minutes.
13. Let the steam release naturally and carefully remove your cake from the trivet.
14. Let it cool and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
Servings: 5
Source: Corrie Cooks
Have a great day, stay well, stay safe.
Being a sole care giver is incredibly isolating, exhausting and often demoralising - particularly when there is no possibility of recovery.
ReplyDeleteI am thrilled that you have ladydog and now Kathy. The PSW have to be a help too.
The four o'clock exercises sound like a brainwave.
Time is a trickster for all of us, and it is not surprising poor Matt gets confused and distressed.
Stay well.
You are so right Sue. Not only them, but I am lucky to have very good friends on the internet too.
DeleteThanks.
I am sure that most of us can understand that dealing with a spouse with AD can be a lonely and frustrating experience, especially if one has no support mechanisms. Enforced confinement due to Covid-19 can only have exacerbated the problem. And you have your own health issues too, Jo, so that adds to the burden I am sure. Hope the cherries help the gout; you will enjoy them anyway. We bought some local cherries at the farmers market recently and they were quite delicious.
ReplyDeleteI don't think "most" understand at all David, I certainly didn't before. Yes, I just wish I could get my own health problems fixed. You're right, I will enjoy the cherries. Long time since I had any.
DeleteVery glad you have friends to keep you company so you don't feel so isolated.
ReplyDeletePeople like the Fellowship of the Dragon help too Alex.
DeleteI have been taking black cherry tablets for about 20 years now. They really seem to help with my arthritis and I take no other medication for it.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, never heard of that before Denise. I will see how I get on with just eating cherries.
DeleteGood idea to adjust his exercise time. He needs to do them.
ReplyDeleteYou're right Diane, it is important. Hopefully we will, one day, be able to get rid of the pain in his leg.
DeleteIt’s rough at the best of times for the caregivers never mind now so I a, glad you have your friends you can see even if at a distance. It’s tough to know whom to talk to because most people don’t want to hear about this. For the fear you mention and also just not knowing what to say and don’t want to hear about sad things. They have no idea that this hurts
ReplyDeleteYou are so right Birgit. But we are told to ask for help from people and not to give them an out. People generally don't understand either. I didn't.
Delete