Definition of Change

To change simply means to “make different” or “to alter in some way”….

CHANGE – positive or negative can affect your life, and lifestyle, in many ways. At least that is my experience from the changes that have occurred in our lives recently.

On July 30, 2017 I wrote the following account of what was going on around me.

The changes in my husband’s health have altered not only his life but mine and that of other close family members as well. I feel certain that our feelings of anger at the things happening to him and the sadness that we feel at losing him a little at a time can’t begin to compare to the feelings of frustration and despair that he must feel.

>Can you imagine not knowing the time or not knowing how long an hour is?

>Can you imagine getting up at 3 or 4 AM to shower and dress for a 10 AM appointment because you don’t know what time it is?

Things like this are examples of what we are experiencing now. Can you imagine what he must have thought or felt when I came into the bathroom and asked why he was taking a shower in the middle of the night?

He said he was getting ready to leave for our appointment. I was able to convince him that it was too early to get ready and asked him to come back to bed. He insisted on getting dressed first and laid down fully clothed. I’m pretty sure he didn’t totally believe what I was telling him about the time. I don’t think either of us slept the rest of the night.

I’ve asked him to trust me about the time we should get up and get ready to leave for appointments, etc. and he says that I “have a weird clock”.

I learned an important thing tonight….something that I’m going to call Caregiver’s Rule #1 and it is this:

“I need to always watch my tone of voice, keeping it soft and friendly

so that I don’t appear to be bossy, critical, or harsh. ”

I know that I need to be able to comfort and re-assure him when he is confused, frustrated, or scared. I don’t know if I can do that well enough …. I’m scared too. I also need to remember that I am now his life preserver in what is a stormy sea for him.

I pray for wisdom and guidance as we go through each day.