1. Got him to sort through 10 pairs of really cheap sunglasses to choose 2 to put in the car and 1 to keep for walking onto the deck (he seems to be very light sensitive, so that means I need to get him an eye exam). But we got rid of 7 cheap giveaway sunglasses that he couldn't part with before (because they were free).
2. My 2 TV-watching chairs (swivel/rockers) were difficult for Dad to stand up from. I cut a piece of 1/4" plywood to fit the springs and wrapped it in a towel (to keep the plywood from cutting the cloth over the springs) and he got up out of the chair a LOT easier.
3. Set up file folders for his documents. Next step is convincing him to allow me to put his documents IN them. One step at a time...
4. Convinced Dad to let me count the antibiotic pills the dentist prescribed. I know he considers that a statement that he isn't taking them as often as he should, but I know he isn't. I just have to prove it to him.
5. Did MY laundry and then convinced him to allow me to do HIS. He wants to do his laundry in plain water in the bathroom sink (obviously not clean enough). I had some work to convince him that I would just do all of his at once in one load and NOT mix it up with mine.
6. Got tennis balls and cut them open just enough to push them onto the non-wheeled bottoms of his new walker-helper.
I'm learning to do good ideas even when Dad doesn't like the ideas at first. So, I'm learning to just DO things.
7. I've learned that Fox TV and The Golf Channel will keep Dad happy all day. I'm MSNBC and The Science Channel, so we'll see how long I can last on just a couple hours of those per day.
8. I'm giving Dad simple things to do around the house. Its hard to find them, but he keeps asking. He can make a salad for dinner and set out the forks and spoons. That keeps him happy he can help.
9. I wish I could get him to clean the cat litter boxes... (Joke!)
10. I made him a list of the channel numbers of his favorite channels. Fox TV, Golf Channel, CNN, etc. That helps him a lot; he thinks Fox TV is the absolute truth in all matters.
4 comments:
You are as they say in your dad's day, cookin' with gas! Seriously, great ideas, a great amount of work and great love being shown.
Progress! Are there any sorting projects you Dad could do--bolts, screws, ect? It'll stimulate his mind and make him happy. Sounds like he's happy, which is a good thing.
It sounds like you are getting him organized, comfortable, and doing what you can to make his life easier. I like Catnip Lunges ideas of projects that he can do to stimulate his brain. I was headed to a little dementia myself, but a recent psychological intelligence test says I've slowly improved. Would he like crossword puzzles or things of that nature to do when you can't find a project for him?
I don't think I could stand watching FOX News you deserve a medal for that. Maybe a TV in his room would be a good idea at some point so you can both watch the programs you enjoy.
Post a Comment