Just wanted to say thank you to those who responded to my post that I sent re my Dad, who had stopped eating on his own. He is still very agreesive and won't allow himself to be fed, which we were worried was going to be a probelm.
We were all advised that with AD, the patient's personality can develop into the complete opposite to who they were before, but only now are we actually coming to terms with Dad's new persona.
We hadn't really thought about how Dad's likes and dislikes could change with this horrible illness. It was hard to get used to the sudden agression / violence and complete frustration - Dad was such a calm person. Also the swearing has been so choice at times I can't believe it's actually Dad saying these words. But we have learned to laugh, when we can, share in Dad's world as much as possible.
Was so pleased that I can now deal with Dad changing yet again...
Following your encouraging replies, we have been going in with lots of different foods to see what Dad is now in to. What we hadn't realised is Dad was forgetting what to do with food when it's put in front of him!!!! I put a plate of cherry bakewells in front him in the other day asking him if he would like one, and his frowned expression was like he was saying "well, what the hell do you want me to do with that!". I, in turn, picked one up slowly and he watched what I did with it. It was like a light bulb went off in his head and he realised what he needed to do - he polished off 3 of them. Naughty I know, but I was just so relieved. We are experimenting with lots of different foods, and Dad's home have been brilliant when was asked if a few of the family could come in and take Dad to his room for a bit of a 'tea party', so that we could all eat together. And we are now looking forward to the warmer weather when we can take him out in his wheelchair to the park and eat together.
It's given us a lot of positive visits with Dad and made us all feel so much more part of Dad's life than before, now we can help understand what he likes.
Sorry to go on, but was so encouraging to have all those replies and advice. I just wish I'd logged on sooner than this.
We're also looking into soft toys for him to see how he reacts to that - can't hurt.
Thanks again,
Karen
We were all advised that with AD, the patient's personality can develop into the complete opposite to who they were before, but only now are we actually coming to terms with Dad's new persona.
We hadn't really thought about how Dad's likes and dislikes could change with this horrible illness. It was hard to get used to the sudden agression / violence and complete frustration - Dad was such a calm person. Also the swearing has been so choice at times I can't believe it's actually Dad saying these words. But we have learned to laugh, when we can, share in Dad's world as much as possible.
Was so pleased that I can now deal with Dad changing yet again...
Following your encouraging replies, we have been going in with lots of different foods to see what Dad is now in to. What we hadn't realised is Dad was forgetting what to do with food when it's put in front of him!!!! I put a plate of cherry bakewells in front him in the other day asking him if he would like one, and his frowned expression was like he was saying "well, what the hell do you want me to do with that!". I, in turn, picked one up slowly and he watched what I did with it. It was like a light bulb went off in his head and he realised what he needed to do - he polished off 3 of them. Naughty I know, but I was just so relieved. We are experimenting with lots of different foods, and Dad's home have been brilliant when was asked if a few of the family could come in and take Dad to his room for a bit of a 'tea party', so that we could all eat together. And we are now looking forward to the warmer weather when we can take him out in his wheelchair to the park and eat together.
It's given us a lot of positive visits with Dad and made us all feel so much more part of Dad's life than before, now we can help understand what he likes.
Sorry to go on, but was so encouraging to have all those replies and advice. I just wish I'd logged on sooner than this.
We're also looking into soft toys for him to see how he reacts to that - can't hurt.
Thanks again,
Karen