Adventures in Alzheimers: Moving On

Grampy's phone. He refuses to use a push button.

My late aunt Nyla June once told me in that hushed, serious voice she always saved for making profound statements "Mary Catherine, you aren't going to get any younger. You're only going to get older".  Truer words were never spoken as I soberly consider the fact that 90 year old Grampy is slowly declining. Mike or I see him at least once a day. He only lives a few minutes away from us and has refused to move in with us. Oftentimes when I go to see him lately he's sound asleep in his recliner at random hours of the day. If I poke the sleeping bear and wake him he takes a minute to focus on me and remember where he is. When he does happen to be up and awake when I go over there, he lets me hug him then asks, every single time, "Have you seen mama? I  don't know where she is." And shaking his head he sadly adds "Yeah I think she left me. Then I lightly rub his arm and soberly remind him that she passed away 17 years ago. His response is always "Well why didn't someone tell me?" It breaks my heart. Every time. 

This week he started organizing and packing his meager possessions in odd and random ways. The other day I pulled out a shoe box from under his sink containing an old flashlight, broken scissors, a pile of aged junk mail and four new potatoes. He told me to put it back. That's where he's keeping it, he said, so he can find it later.  He stacks empty ice cream cartons along the top of the back of his stove "Why?" I asked. "Well" he said "I just like the way it looks". I snapped some photos to prove I'm not exaggerating. Mike asked him "Why are you packing and organizing your stuff dad?" Grampy said "Well I'm moving. I'm going back home." What does he know that we don't? 

He's getting his dishes ready to go....but where?

Hi Ice Cream Carton decor. Sigh.

Today I went over and he was fast asleep in bed. I gently woke him up. He said he didn't feel well. That he couldn't get up and get me some coffee. Alarmed, I called Mike and he came over right away. We brought Grampy home to our house and for the first time ever,  he didn't resist. I'm not sure he will ever go back to his trailer again. We're taking it one day at a time. Right now he's sleeping in a recliner in the back room with Ladybug curled on his lap. He loves that dog more than he loves most humans. Most likely she's the best medicine for him.

Looks like Grampy really might be moving on.