Good Evening,
I just have to share this wonderful experience I just had on my ambulance. I picked up a couple in their 80's. The wife just had both her legs amputated due to poor circulation. I was taking them to a rehab to help her with her new life now. They have been married for 60 yrs and so happy. I love how she looks at her husband with so much joy in her eyes. And even though she has just had this bad thing happen to her, she seems OK with it, and looks to her husband for support.
Well I hope that my book is helping you, and don't forget to get respite care, and join a support groups. Don't forget to pray.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint James A Rock & Co., Pub.
www.mariefostino.com
Friday, March 27, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Good Sunday afternoon,
I want to share with you an experience I had on Friday. I had a patient to take care of and as I looked at him, and watched his body movements and his facial expressions I was seeing my father in law all over again. We were bringing him to an nursing home in California from Phoenix. He was scared, and very confused. Of course we had to strap him on our gurney and thank heavens we have a top harness strap, because he managed to wiggle his legs free. He was able to tell me his name but told me he was 7 yrs old. When I asked him if he knew where he was, he told me NO and told me not to tell him so he wouldn't be scared. He held on to my hands for the whole trip. At one point he did get a little aggressive, and put on that scary ugly face with hatred, and grabbed my hands trying to hurt them, and trying to get loose. But that is part of Alzheimer's and I just watched him and continued holding his hands till he settled down. I hope that I comforted him through the trip. He at one time had a Foley in, but I was told he pulled it out him self. I know that it had to hurt, but he had no idea what he was doing. He also had a feeding tube in. I wonder how many times he tried to pull that out. I was so happy that I got to be the one to take care of him. I watched his face as he moved his head back and forth, looking around in wonderment. I would whisper in his ear if he was alright, and he would smile back at me. Just remember that to the world you are just one person, but to one person you may be the world.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press an Imprint of James A Rock & Co., Pub.
www.mariefostino.com
I want to share with you an experience I had on Friday. I had a patient to take care of and as I looked at him, and watched his body movements and his facial expressions I was seeing my father in law all over again. We were bringing him to an nursing home in California from Phoenix. He was scared, and very confused. Of course we had to strap him on our gurney and thank heavens we have a top harness strap, because he managed to wiggle his legs free. He was able to tell me his name but told me he was 7 yrs old. When I asked him if he knew where he was, he told me NO and told me not to tell him so he wouldn't be scared. He held on to my hands for the whole trip. At one point he did get a little aggressive, and put on that scary ugly face with hatred, and grabbed my hands trying to hurt them, and trying to get loose. But that is part of Alzheimer's and I just watched him and continued holding his hands till he settled down. I hope that I comforted him through the trip. He at one time had a Foley in, but I was told he pulled it out him self. I know that it had to hurt, but he had no idea what he was doing. He also had a feeding tube in. I wonder how many times he tried to pull that out. I was so happy that I got to be the one to take care of him. I watched his face as he moved his head back and forth, looking around in wonderment. I would whisper in his ear if he was alright, and he would smile back at me. Just remember that to the world you are just one person, but to one person you may be the world.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press an Imprint of James A Rock & Co., Pub.
www.mariefostino.com
Monday, March 9, 2009
Good Afternoon this beautiful Monday. The sky is blue with fluffy white clouds that are slowly moving and sometimes hiding the sun. The wind feels so cool, but not cold, on your skin. I had a cute couple today on my ambulance. They are in their late 80's. They have been married for 60 yrs. I like that. I called them dinasores because it is far and few between that people stay married that long. The husband had a stroke about 30 yrs ago, but managed to get around with a walker. But he fell and is in a nursing home for P T so that he can go back home again. It was so cute to watch his wife flutter around him making sure he was warm enough and comfortable. And when I took him out of the ambulance, and he didn't see his wife right away, he was concerned and asked me where his lovely wife was. That made my heart jump to hear those dear words from him.
If your loved one has Alzheimer's try to remember what it was that made you fall in love with him/her. And remember that they can't help how they are now. Alzheimer's has gotton to their brain, and they are not themselves. Don't forget the support groups to help you get through this tough time.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A. Rock & Co., Pub.
www.mariefostino.com
If your loved one has Alzheimer's try to remember what it was that made you fall in love with him/her. And remember that they can't help how they are now. Alzheimer's has gotton to their brain, and they are not themselves. Don't forget the support groups to help you get through this tough time.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A. Rock & Co., Pub.
www.mariefostino.com
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
What a beautiful day here in Phoenix, Az. But my day is starting out sad, as I had my first patient whom I was told is combative and confused. As I started to take care of him and talk to him a little I can already tell that he has Alzeimer's but the faculity does not know this because his wife has not had him diagnosied with it. He is at the stage where he is aggressive and combative. It is hard for the nursing home to understand that he does not know what he is doing. It breaks my heart to see this. It is a real hard stage in Alzheimer's.
Please remember that whether you keep your loved one at home or put in a nursing home that it is real tough either way. It is important that you go to Alzheimer Support Groups. Listen to other people and see that you are not alone. You can learn from them and they can learn from you. Check out the Alzheimer Web Sites on line. They are full of useful information. Check out Alzheimer Association, to see where they have support groups in your area.
Remember that to the world you are but only one person, but to that one person you are the world.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A. Rock & Co., Pub.
www.mariefostino.com
Please remember that whether you keep your loved one at home or put in a nursing home that it is real tough either way. It is important that you go to Alzheimer Support Groups. Listen to other people and see that you are not alone. You can learn from them and they can learn from you. Check out the Alzheimer Web Sites on line. They are full of useful information. Check out Alzheimer Association, to see where they have support groups in your area.
Remember that to the world you are but only one person, but to that one person you are the world.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A. Rock & Co., Pub.
www.mariefostino.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
