Sitting in the Dark, Sitting on the Floor

When we got home the other night, mom was sitting on a chair in the living room, near the front door. She had her book. She didn't turn on any lights, so she wasn't reading. She was waiting.

She didn't know where the light switch was for this room in our new house. In all fairness, it's behind a corner china cabinet.

There was a lamp by her, on the side table. She didn't turn that on either. In all fairness... No. There is nothing fair about Alzheimer's disease.

Strange but not unreasonable behaviors

Mom said she was waiting for us. If she turned on the light, she couldn't see out the window and everyone can see in. She doesn't like sitting in a fishbowl.

I really need to put curtains higher on my to-do list. She had also locked the front door. We have asked her not to lock us out, she sat and waited for us and could see when we arrived, so she could unlock the door.

We live in the suburbs. It's pretty safe. Our house is set about 30 yards from the street. If someone wants to break in, they are getting in, but mom doesn't feel safe unless that door is locked, even in broad daylight and everyone is at home.

It's not unreasonable, but it's something she gets stuck on. She's getting stuck on more things lately.

Not yet

The sun had already gone down, but it wasn't even dinner time yet. We hadn't been gone long. Mom can still be home by herself for the day.
She isn't going to get into anything - yet.
She isn't going to wander - yet.
But that's the thing. The "yets". She isn't and doesn't until she does.

Still laughing at ourselves

I was in the family room watching tv when I heard my name sort of shrilly hollered. "Kathyyyyy!"

I hurried to my mom's room, and there she was, sitting on the floor by her bed, smiling sheepishly. She couldn't get up! She had been reaching for the charging cord for her iPad on her bedside table. She had reached a little too far and slid off of her bed.

I'm glad she wasn't hurt! So was she.

Her personality continues to shine

We bought her an adjustable electric bed frame that can prop her feet and her head up. It's a little higher off the ground to help her sit up and stand right up. You try to make good choices for safety and functionality. We didn't anticipate the stretch and roll!

I tried to get her to roll over onto her knees and get up. She didn't have the strength to lift her hips to get up onto her knees. The floor hurt her knees. We tried a pillow on the floor. Nope.

I tried getting in front of her, grabbing her hands, bracing her feet with my feet, and pulling her up. She didn't have the strength in her legs to stand up.

I called my husband and son who were working on a project in the yard. They came into her room and both had a laugh as my mom sat giggling on the floor in her nightgown. My husband got behind her, put his arms under hers, and hoisted her to her feet. She was so happy and gave him a big hug!

Always here

Mom and I had a talk about what she would have done had we not been close by. She said she would have figured it out. It might have hurt her knees and feet, but she would have done something to pull herself up.

I'm glad she didn't have to do that, but I'm glad she thought she could still figure it out.