Unreal!

This Alzheimer’s thing is Unreal! They say there are seven stages to this disease, but they don’t tell you that your person will flip back and forth, between “stages”. So what is the point of knowing “the stages”? My husband has had several “stages” in the past few years; none of which was enjoyable. I was always so happy to move on. Unfortunately, the next “stage” is always worse than the one you just went through.

Alzheimer’s people live in their own world. A world that makes sense only to them. Because they can’t explain their thoughts or feelings, most of the time, you are left to play catch up. I equate the experience to being blindfolded and playing hide and go seek! Their reality is theirs! It makes no sense to anyone but them. You can not explain nor argue. You have to try to live in theirs. For several months now, Doug has accused me of “stealing” his social security check each month. He got to a point where I would catch him standing outside by the mailbox, waiting for the mailman. I tried to explain to him that they no longer send checks, but have direct deposit into the bank account. He wanted to go to the bank and “see his money”. I am usually really good about dodging, redirecting, or lying when necessary. We avoided going to the bank that day. He brought the subject up again in another couple of weeks.

The day after Christmas, we were running errands. Doug insisted I drive him to the bank. I really couldn’t come up with a plausible excuse not to. I waited for him in the car. Figured, he would go in, ask what the balance of the account was, and come back out. (He could have asked me, but obviously he wouldn’t because he thinks I am stealing). He did come out pretty quickly, but he had withdrawn all the money out of the checking account!! It was a healthy amount because I had not paid the mortgage yet.

That night, I sat him down, showed him the mortgage payment. I explained that I had to have the money back to make the payment the next day. He wasn’t happy, but I took him with me to the bank so he could “see” me making the payment.

Two things happened as a result of this. Because I have his POA, the next day, I had his name removed from the checking account. When it dawned on me that all he wanted was something to put in his wallet, I ordered Fake Money off of Amazon!!! Who on earth could imagine you can buy such a thing? When it comes in, I will replace the Real money in his wallet! This guy keeps me on my toes! 🤑