Bold Experiment

After much discussion, we allowed Dair to return home to NC for the summer, with the understanding that my stepson Steve would be her caretaker. It wasn't a perfect plan, but Dair was desperate to get to the mountains and we were desperate for a break. Steve agreed to provide meals three times a day, make sure Dair took her meds and try to get her out each day to visit the senior center or nursing home.

Well, about a month into this arrangement, Steve's car ceased functioning. He had a back up vehicle, but it has no roof (that's another story for another day), so he could only travel in it on sunny days. Then it died.

Ever the social one, Dair didn't respond well to being limited to making visits to those she could only get to by foot. By the end of the summer, she was making frequent trips to the nearby ice cream parlor and various neighbors.

I understand the allure of the ice cream parlor. It is located in a building where Dair's dad once operated a general store, so she's treated like royalty there. Sheila, the owner, is very sweet to Dair and usually provides her a snack or ice cream cone for free. Sheila called us one day and said she was worried that Dair wasn't getting fed because she was eating at her place all the time. Dair has always been a good eater, especially when it comes to ice cream, and she loves anything free! Plus, when you have dementia, you don't always remember that you've already eaten.

Dair was also always going next door to Steve's house - early in the morning, late at night, in a rainstorm - just to have some company. One day he tried to walk her back to her place and she was just not ready to go. She got mad at him and started swinging her brass handled walking cane at him. He took the cane from her and she responded by standing in the middle of the yard yelling, "help, help."

So, our bold experiment didn't turn out so great after all.