JOAN’S BLOG – MON/TUE, JULY 20/21, 2009- MY MOVING EXPERIENCE – BIRTH OF A NEW RESOURCE

Every time a large number of you ask the same question about a particular issue, I am spurred on to research it, and put up a left side topic resource for it. In that manner our quest for knowledge helps us all. That is how and why most of the side resource topics were chosen.

Due to a few very stressful, aggravating airline trips with my husband after his diagnosis, I wrote a blog for travel tips with an AD spouse. I have since updated it with excellent ideas and suggestions from you. By tonight, it will be on the left side of the website as a resource.

After some very frightening hurricane warnings last year (thankfully false alarms), I learned the importance of “special needs” disaster preparation when an Alzheimer patient is involved. Thus, the “Hurricane Warning” side resource was added.

And now, we will experience “moving with an AD spouse” together. I can assure you, by the time my move is over, there will be a picture of a moving truck on the left side, that when clicked, will reveal a list of tips I can only imagine at the moment.

On Sunday, my friend asked me how Sid felt about the move. It took me a long time to answer, because I am not quite sure. He has told me he is grateful that I am thinking of him and his needs in planning this move. But oh, how things have changed in the 3 years since we moved from Boston. Just a mere 3 years ago, we moved from our home of 30 years(actual picture of our house) into a hotel(actual picture of our hotel)for 6 weeks, then to Florida to a rental house for 5 months, then to this house. We considered it an adventure, and neither of us had trouble transitioning from one place to the other (except for the physical work involved). It seems like a lifetime ago. Now he is quiet, nervous, and apprehensive about getting used to someplace new; about meeting new people; about worrying whether or not he will get along with them; about the “unknown.”

It is only as I write this that I realize the major differences in his physical, emotional, and mental states in such a very short time. It reinforces my belief that I am making the correct decision to move NOW to an all purpose facility, while he is able to enjoy the people and activities. By living in the villa, and participating in the AL building’s activities, he will become comfortable and familiar with the surroundings. Thus, when it is time for him to move to the dementia facility, the adjustment will be far less traumatizing to both of us. At least that is the directions my thoughts are taking at the moment. 

As I navigate my way through moving with an AD spouse, I will write down the pitfalls, the techniques that work,and the unexpected. Hopefully, when we are settled in our new home, everyone will benefit from the knowledge I have gained. If I haven’t dropped dead from exhaustion first.

NOTE – Had the meeting with the Ind. Liv. director Monday morning. Sorry, but I made them retype portions of the contract 3 times to make sure I was signing exactly how much money was due on exactly which date. The time frame is not what I wanted, but I had no choice if I wanted to lock in the price I was quoted. So folks, I start paying rent and "take possession" as of August 17th. The plan is to officially move in on Sept 1st, but I can move whatever I want into the villa starting on August 17th. Does anyone want to figure out how I am going to accomplish all of this?

Feedback to joan@thealzheimerspouse.com 

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The Alzheimer Spouse LLC
2009 All Rights Reserved

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