Posted by Sue
Mother was about 78 years old when we first realized she was forgeting important current details. She would mentioned that someone had called or came by (she lived with us) but couldn't remember who the call or caller was. She was a beautiful woman and at 78 was still a lovely lady, but as the disease progressed she hated getting into a bathtub or a shower. What had always been part of her daily grooming became a contest for me to see if I could encourage her to bathe. As the next five years progressed she became fearful of almost everything in life as well as the water for her bath. She really wanted me (her oldest daughter) or my husband in her sight at all times. Her diet was very limited. She liked hamburger but almost no other meat. She loved a cheese sandwich so eating out any place such as a pizza restaurant was out of the question because they didn't serve cheese sandwiches.
Mother was about 78 years old when we first realized she was forgeting important current details. She would mentioned that someone had called or came by (she lived with us) but couldn't remember who the call or caller was. She was a beautiful woman and at 78 was still a lovely lady, but as the disease progressed she hated getting into a bathtub or a shower. What had always been part of her daily grooming became a contest for me to see if I could encourage her to bathe. As the next five years progressed she became fearful of almost everything in life as well as the water for her bath. She really wanted me (her oldest daughter) or my husband in her sight at all times. Her diet was very limited. She liked hamburger but almost no other meat. She loved a cheese sandwich so eating out any place such as a pizza restaurant was out of the question because they didn't serve cheese sandwiches.
Gratefully, Mother had always been cheerful and kind so this personality followed her as the Alzheimer's disease progressed. It was very difficult to urge her to do something she really didn't want to do because I could remember as a child and younger adult how patient and gentle she had always been with me. Mother's wardrobe had always been tastefully selected and one of her top priorities. As she regressed she only wanted to wear her most favorite outfits and would choose the same ones day after day. I finally had to hide several outfits so she would at least choose another group of clothes while I washed or cleaned her favorites.
She was a devout Christian and even in very late stages of the disease could quote favorite Bible passages such as John 3:16. As a teenager Mother had learned to do the Charleston dance. She spent three months in a care center just before her death. While there she met one of her oldest friends. My sister encouraged Mother to show Annabelle how the Charleston dance was done and there in that room Mother did several steps of the Charleston. Memories of her Scripture quoting and doing the Charleston still bring smiles to me. She was dear!!!!!
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