Hello group. I've not posted in a while but thought I would share and update
on my dad. I do come here every day and read the posts. It's very helpful in
keeping me grounded. When I came here back in June with a crisis you all
quickly pointed me in the right direction and gave me some very good advice.
My father has had a pretty good summer considering the roller coaster ride
in the beginning. I think the Aricept has helped. He can't remember things
better but he has kept himself busy with things he had lost interest in. He
now uses his computer to make a grocery or shopping list occasionally. He
also got reacquainted with his VCR with my brother's help and has managed to
watch a lot of old John Wayne movies over and over and over.  :-)  Some days
he can work it and some days he can't.  I think he just does things he use
to do without really knowing how any more.  That doesn't make sense I guess
but he thinks he's doing those things even though he's not.  Oh well, I'm
starting to sound like him!

He's still living alone - but now without a car and he no longer cooks or
even tries to make much more than sandwiches. He's been content and pleasant
all summer. We still spend 4 to 6 hours every day with him. We have a
regular routine and as long as we stick pretty close to it he does very
well. I'm trying hard to treasure these days because I know they are
numbered. I enjoy knowing each day that he's accomplished something, even if
its just a simple chore or errand. It makes him happy. He's currently
cleaning his bird feeders and will soon have them hanging all over the back
yard.  Then we'll have to search for just the right bird seed.

I finally made it to the only local support group for AD and was very
impressed with the people I met there. Next month we are meeting at a local
senior day care center.  I'm looking forward to seeing that facility.  I've
begun visiting places that might suit dad's needs down the road.  So far,
not so good, but I've got a lot more to look at and my attitude is slowly
adjusting to the reality.  I'm very happy with our brand new veteran's
center here but of course there is a waiting list so I'm going to go ahead
and meet with them to discuss his status and maybe put an application on
file.

One of my favorite quotes - don't know who said it but .....  Life is not
about waiting for the storm to pass. It's all about learning to dance in the
rain.

Thanks for listening

Barbara H