Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

2002



Ziggy 
Stardust, aka David Bowie was obviously not referring to Alzheimer's disease with the lyrics to his 1970's hit song.  However, as I look at my Mom now and look at photos of her from the year  2000 to the present,                                              
the title of Bowie's song echoes in my mind.

I am going to start posting photos from each year since we officially found out that my Mom had Alzheimer's disease. We first started seeing some of the  basic symptoms in 2000, but it was easy to explain those away.  In 2001, I believe we received the diagnosis. My Dad was able to care for Mom at home until early 2011 (with the help of daily caregivers). In January, 2011, my brother and I convinced Dad that we had to move Mom to an assisted living facility that could better meet her needs. The second half of that decision was to preserve and protect my Dad, who was jumping through hoops to keep everything perfect.  

He is doing well now, although he still feels guilty, thankfully not as much as the first 6 months or so after we made the change. And Mom is happy. She never mentioned or questioned why we were taking her there, and has not been one who sings a constant  chorus of  'I want to go home'.  We are very fortunate that this is the case, as it is not the normal reaction of residents in Alzheimer's facilities.

2003

I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence
So the days float through my eyes
But stil the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They're quite aware of what they're going through

Time may change me
But you can't trace time
Strange fascination, fascinating me
Ah changes are taking the pace Im going through


Ch-ch-changes
Oh, look out you rock n rollers
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
(turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-changes
Pretty soon now you're gonna get a little older
Time may change me
But I can't trace time
I said that time may change me
But I can't trace time

(David Bowie Changes Lyrics
Songwriters: DEL BARRIO,
 SEEMAN, JONES,  KAPLAN









2004

2012

2012

2004

I think Janet resembles Princess Diana in the angle of this photo. Something about the nose and jaw line ... People used to comment that there was a resemblance.

Enough blah blah,  here are some then and now photos...

Luau night at Sunrise

The management set up a luau night for the residents and their families. The food, buffet style, was just ok, adequate, but uninspiring. They did have plenty of beer, wine and 'punch' on hand though.
Musical enertainment, a guy on keyboard doing Elvis tunes and variety of other selections.

See this brown dish with the black design.  This is a dish identical to the set of everyday dishes that my grandmother, Janet's mother, had.   They were donated away years ago, probably in 1998.  Anyway, a few days ago, I was visiting my Mom at The AL place where she is, and there on the kitchen counter was the little dish you see in the photo.  I asked one of the aides where that came from, she said she didn't know.  I explained the reason for my question.  Seems to me that my Grandmother is just sending a sign that she is checking on her daughter.  Janet did not have any recollection of the significance of this particular dish pattern.

Scenic drive and ice cream run

One thing they do well is take the residents out on 'scenic drives'. They do not get off the bus, just see the local sites and then get ice cream, drive through style. Again, they don't get off the bus, because the logistical nightmare that would create would be epic.

CBS Press Express | THE PRICE IS RIGHT: Chris Daughtry

CBS Press Express THE PRICE IS RIGHT: Chris Daughtry