Calendar
Essential Daily Tasks
First, it was essential to establish our daily tasks check list so we both knew what to expect, and to keep our day feeling organized and pleasant. As much as possible, it is important that we stick to this routine so I made a template of our typical daily tasks, and I posted it on the wall as a good reference throughout the day.
Morning
begins with letting in the sun, and opening the window to freshen the room. As an anticipated action, it signals that a new day has begun. My first daily task is to talk about the date, especially if we know someone who has a birthday, and we look at the weather conditions to set the tone. This helps to establish our place in time
because we are at the “applesauce” phase and everything needs to be chopped and ground. I sneak her vitamins in, and especially like gingko, ginseng, and gotu kola — brain food! We eat high-protein green drink, sometimes two eggs, sometimes cereal. Again, following a routine keeps things less confusing.
We have invested in an automatic bed, (highly recommended) which is a perfect place for sitting to bathe and brush teeth. Getting dressed can be a challenge, but we have different colored t-shirts, opened in the back to the collar stitching. We can slip in one arm at a time, and not have to raise the left side, which is still sore.
because, though she can use her right arm to feed herself, she often “forgets” and dozes. I was told not to stretch out mealtime, but I can spoon food into her mouth more efficiently, and get other chores done at the same time.
Noon
to keep your energy up. I have learned to nap when she naps, if possible. We change briefs about every six hours, which means at 4:00a.m., every day, I am at the bedside ready to roll her over to clean her up.
it is a treat to go for a walk. The change of scenery keeps her engaged, and I encourage discussion as we go.
She has developed arthritis, and is especially sensitive on her left side. Our exercises include simple rotations and movement, but still more strength and resistance on her right side. In our state, we can use CBD oil, which is effective on her joints and the soles of her feet. Also, daily MSM, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, and yucca.
is a daily task. I am a bit of a germ-a-phobe and I bleach everything. My beautiful teal sheets, are now an off-white green, and those bright red towels, a soft pink. Well, the trade-off, is that the room smells fresh and clean when bedtime rolls around again.
One thing I have learned, is that I cannot rush her when she eats. She sometimes has trouble swallowing, so a bowl of applesauce is always served with meals. It is good to keep track of how much water she drinks so constipation doesn’t become a problem.
Night
We make tentative plans for each tomorrow, which includes grocery shopping, concerts, and plays. We enjoy having dinner with the grandkids, and great grandkids who are in town, every Sunday. Here is the time to reaffirm the value of a life well-led.
So, occasionally, I do get a reprieve. I can’t always take her with me when I go out, and also, being apart sometimes is good for both of us. There are many services that offer care-takers and helpers. I have gone through three different agencies, and, sad to say, have not found a good fit. It is important to get references and just talk to your friends, but my mom’s mind is still very sharp and can detect a person’s character quickly — so lots of applicants have not worked out.
Well, anyway, finding someone to be with her while I am out has been a chore, but we are fortunate that my daughter can come over once in a while, and we have a really good friend, who we pay to spend a few hours to be a good companion.
which means I start preparing at 5:00-ish. Since this is my current lifestyle, I mostly make everything from scratch, and have time to try new and healthy recipes. Our grocer has fresh, organic produce which allows us to follow a (loosely-based) “clean diet”.
if we’ve had a good day. We try to have good conversations, and usually a yummy dessert! Of course, we have to watch “Wheel of Fortune”, and then have time to relax before we go off to bed. If we had a good day, tomorrow will be another!
CONTINUED…
Weekly Tasks
Here, we are free to add outings, visitations, special projects.
Personal
Our solution, was to put a potty chair in the shower and use the hand spray for cleaning. However, since the COVID19 shut-in, I have not had assistance to get mom in and out of the shower. Mostly, she sits or lays in bed, and I use a waterproof pad underneath to catch the excess drips. To keep her warm, she is wrapped in a large fluffy towel, and I just clean a section at a time. It works.
We have a tilt wheel chair, and it is perfect for shampooing, which we do twice a week. I put plastic bags over the head rest and her shoulders, and wrap her neck in a towel. The bathroom isn’t quite big enough for the tilted chair, so her “spa day” happens at the kitchen sink. I have a large bussing tub to catch any excess spray water. She gets to relax and get a good scalp massage.
Mom has great knowledge of essential oils and medicinal herbs. I am gleaning as much information as I can, and applying what little I know, to keep her as comfortable as possible. My go-to herbs are: Swedish Bitters, and swertia tea. My favorite essential oils are frankincense and thieves.
Family
I have always enjoyed cooking. I feel that it is as easy to cook for lots of people, as it is for two — kind of. Anyway, the grandkids and great grand kids who are near, come over every Sunday for dinner. We have a yummy meal, loud conversation, and mom gets to be in the middle of it all. She often asks, “Is today Sunday?” because she enjoys the company so much.
Both my mom’s and my dad’s families were big. So, I had many cousins, and we were pretty close growing up. Among the hundred or so people, a birthday chart was created, and horoscope “readings” were shared using the Chinese zodiac, and elements of feng shui. Mom is very good at numerology too, and so this knowledge has come down through the generations to the great grand kids. They all have a special analysis, and we discuss this when each one has a birthday.
My mom has three daughters, seven grandchildren, and presently, eighteen great grandchildren. Careers and interests range from mathematics and computer programming, to government contracting and mechanics; from health educators and athletes, to musicians and sustainable living. Each person is important to her and any news of accomplishment, or achieving goals is like a bright feather in her cap, knowing these people are a part of her., and will “carry on” when she is gone.
Social
Mom is a gregarious person and misses having people nearby most of all. So, we discovered we can have Sunday dinner via “Zoom”, on the computer. It will do for now. We can also go outside once the weather settles down, and sit on the porch. We are fortunate to live on a street that joggers and bikers pass by frequently. Many will wave or give her a holler so it is a way to stay connected to the outside world.
Attending concerts and plays have been a fun thing we planned on weekly. So, now, we are enjoying Netflix, and finding anything artsy we can watch on TV. We used to watch the news every day, but I believe the news is very negative lately, so for now, we fill our minds with music and positive programming.
One thing we have always looked forward to, is our stroll around the neighborhood. We can go up to 5 or 6 miles, taking different routes, and discussing what we see: new construction, wild turkeys and bunnies, blooming flowers, or just anything. I have found that people are kind and will wave and engage mom with a smile or a brief chat. During this time of social distancing, people still wave from their porches, and will say “hi” as they jog by. A positive attitude goes a long way to keep our day happy.
Our “routine” is really changing. We have been in self-quarantine for a while, so new discoveries are made every day. We are still in the trial and error phase of care giving, so if there are any tips you may have, please drop me a line. If you feel you may have a need of service in the future and have questions, I will share what I have researched. This is a time-consuming task, but not without rewards.
Thank you, and Blessings to us all.
Daily Task Check List
Time | Scheduled | Intent |
4:00a.m. | Change briefs | If sleeping well, skip this |
5:00a.m. |
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6:00a.m. |
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7:00a.m. |
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8:00a.m. | Laundry and chores | Get as much done as possible |
9:00a.m. | Start breakfast | Green drink, protein and coffee |
10:00a.m. | Breakfast and meds | We use vitamins and herbs |
11:00a.m. |
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12:00p.m. | naptime |
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1:00p.m. | Any appointments | Plan for doctor or visitors the same time each day |
2:00p.m. |
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3:00p.m. | Stroll and other exercise | Joint rotation. Resistance techniques. Sunshine |
4:00p.m. |
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5:00p.m. | Start dinner | Nutritious proteins, filling carbs |
6:00p.m. | Dinner and dessert | Always homemade fruity something |
7:00p.m. |
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8:00p.m. | naptime |
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9:00p.m. | shower |
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10:00p.m. | bedtime |
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Helpful diet tips using fresh foods and herbs
Herbs and vitamins | preparations | Intent |
Wheatgrass, macrogreens, kale, spinach | These make a nutritious green drink . Blend with fruits, fruit juice and ice. | Chlorophyll and enzymes wake up the system. Nutritious vitamins and fiber are included |
Whey Protein | A scoopful in the blended drink | Retaining basic muscle function and mass |
Powdered in capsule form | Supplements to enhance brain function and memory | |
supplements | Multi-vitamins and minerals | Overall health |
Capsule and powder form | Arthritis and sore joints |
Essential Oils and Pain management
Product | Application | Intent |
Frankincense oil | Soles of feet, forehead | Highest frequency vibration. Overall health |
Thieves oil | Wrists soles of feet | Overall health |
Peppermint oil | Quick perk upl | |
Lavender oil | Inhale in humidifier | Wonderful relaxant |
Melaleuca | Inhale in humidifier | Bronchial aid |
Oregano | Soles of feet | Bronchial aid |
Helichrysum | Around ears temples | Circulation and cleanser. Pain management |
Wintergreen | Along with helichrysum and cloves for pain | |
Zinc | Mineral supplement | Eases colds |
Lysine | Supplement | Eases colds |
Vitamin C | Vitamin supplement | Super antioxidant eases infections |
Swedish Bitters | Supplement | Digestive aid |
Swertia | Tea | Alkaline balance |
CBD oil | Drops and cream | Pain management |