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My beloved, the Great Survivor, decided he would delegate his care to me. He just concentrates on being positive and taking each day as it comes. This is an essential part of his survival strategy. Sometimes it causes tension between us: Parkinsons medication works best if given at regular intervals (I'm talking about Co-beneldopa). Moreover, he has to take the last dose no later than 6pm, or he suffers awful night terrors. Working backwards from 6pm, this means he should be taking the morning dose, with food ideally, around 8am.
Whether it is Parkinsons or merely his age (90), he is increasingly sleepy in the mornings and not motivated to get up. I got really aggravated recently - and told him he was making it difficult for me to care for him.
He says he'll fit in with whatever I want to arrange. 'It's not what I want', I tell him, 'it's what's best for you'. He gets all upset.
We're trying a new routine now. Morning cup of tea around 7am followed by shower and dressing at 7.30 (the caring procedures take us over 1/2 hour) so then he's ready for breakfast around 8.10am. And he takes his first dose. Then he lies back in his recliner and nods off while listening to Radio 4 (for most of the rest of the morning!)
It is helpful for me to put this down in writing. I can see already, from the few entries I have made, that - despite his multiple health problems - it is Parkinsons that is the most challenging as far as care is concerned.
Hazel.
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