Hats & Margaret etc.
Margaret.
I felt the need to document how Margaret is as, in the last year (or less), she has 'progressed' considerably. (The term 'deteriorated' is verboten. You might think this is a bit 'woke' but I do not agree).
There is a YouTube video (not a work of art!) which lasts about 15 minutes and gives a good representation how she is with me when out. And another one with a Fiddle Muff where she is playing about with it and talking nonsense. A friend (Viv) of Diane in Winscombe made this for Margaret. I thought it wouldn't interest her, but I was wrong! Anyway, as Mr Super Observant, I was only vaguely aware of Fiddle Muffs. But, talking to Emily & Denise (carers in Ashmead), I find they have a stock of them!
Jennifer has told me off for saying 'nonsense' and, as always, she is right. There are some obviously pertinent comments as well as some less so!
These are just a series of bullet points about the video :-
- Generally she really seems to enjoy her walks. She is always looking at things and never shows a reluctance to walk (except when puffed). Sometimes she skips along, particularly when we set off.
- She talks gibberish some of the time and we sing songs. The grand old Duke of York is a favourite. She has lots of different accents at her command. She can count in German and French as well as English and still knows quite a lot of French words.
- She loves walking on the crunchy gravel outside Ashmead.
- She is obsessed with things on the ground. leaves, drain covers, puddles, bits of paper, stones etc.
- The twiddling her fingers together is something she does a lot, particularly when sitting in Ashmead.
- Anyway, there you are. If nothing else, I hope it provides some amusement!
Suggest you click the YouTube word which will show the video in YouTube itself. |
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These are just a series of bullet points of my observations / feelings :-
Recognition & Cooperation.
Recognition & Cooperation.
- With me she is nearly always happy and, even when grumpy, it doesn't last long. She obviously recognises me though whether she knows who I am, I have no idea.
- I am far for convinced whether she recognises anyone else. She must, subjectively, recognise other people particularly her long term carers plus Belinda and Shelagh.
- She is more likely to be cooperative with St Monica carers then Agency carers - though some Agency ones are very good as they have been around for a while. St Monica is now recruiting and sponsoring carers from the far East. What will happen to this programme after the demise of Braverman and introduction of Cleverly and the Tory panic over immigration is far from clear.
- Having had dogs most of her life, she is generally still attuned to dogs though can be confused on how to interact with them. Yogi is her #1 favourite - not surprisingly as he will happily sit on her lap. She only sort-of knows his name now but seeing him makes her light up.
- She can no longer identify other animals, live or toys. Cows, cats, giraffe, wombat, hedgehog etc.
- She will often talk to Samantha (her huge giraffe) but can no longer identify her as a giraffe.
- Obviously her health is closely monitored by StMT and, anyway, I know very little about health.
- She does seem to have a bit of lower back pain on the RHS from time to time.
- Of more concern is her becoming 'puffed' when out walking. She knows when she is getting puffed and stops. Recovery is quick. There are several examples in the video. It is more likely to happen when going up a hill. Early this year, she had an episode where she gracefully sunk to the ground. Since then, I am much moor careful and, on longer walks carry a small fold-up stool.
- I have no idea about her teeth. I am dreading having to take her to the dentist. It was taxing, to say the least, when I took her in 2019!
- Eyesight and reading. From my point of view(!) her eyesight still seems very good. She can, as one would hope, still see far batter than I. After her last eye-test, I decided to do nothing with the marginally altered prescription. She can still physically read though, now, she can't manage to pronounce more complex words. The words don't seem to mean anything. She appears to love the physical act of reading and reads all the signs when we are out walking as well as car number plates!
- She only became interested in colouring after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's (2012). Ever since, she has been at Sandford, she has been involved in colouring. Samples below show how good she was.
- She has had a thoroughly brilliant time with Susannah (who holds Art classes both in the Care Home and Village) for years. I have now ceased going to Art classes with Margaret as I feel I am just a distraction. Susannah still manages to get her to create something now and again.
- She was obsessively involved in colouring and was rarely seen without a colouring book whenever she was sitting. She no longer shows any interest in colouring and doesn't do any on her own any more.
- Music, on the other hand, is still a major part of her life. She knows the words to every song at Musical Memories and appears to thoroughly enjoy it and any music in Ashmead. What Wayne, Sally and Jim have dome for Margaret for over six years has brought joy and pleasure to her life. She has her own Alexa (actually a Ziggy) in her room on which she listens to M4D (1960's) radio if somebody puts it on for her.
- Sometimes it can be difficult to shower, toilet her etc. Getting her to sit down, turn around, stand up etc can be difficult as she just starts talking to herself and getting annoyed and frustrated when you ask her to do things.
- She is getting more stubborn. Recently she wouldn't go in the clubhouse and just sat herself down on the bench, Gemma managed to get her up to go in. Presumably this is because Gemma is, somehow, more familiar and knows better how to approach Margaret?
- She prefers to eat on her own. I am not sure if that is something new or not.
- She will still take herself off and sit in the quiet part of Ashmead when it is noisy or residents are shouting.
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