Playing Card Games Together

Lo Children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3

 When I used to go visit my dad in his home a half continent away, he would always play a particular game of Solitaire. He took great pride in teaching me how to play and showing me strategies that he felt were beneficial in playing the game.

When I went home after these visits, I used to Play Dad's Solitaire for awhile because it reminded me so much of him. Of course, real life would set in and before you know it, I got caught up in my daily routine and the deck of cards sat on the shelf.

When my dad came to live with us, he at first played Solitaire periodically. We would take turns playing when I slowed down from daily chores and sat down with him. I really enjoyed this time together.

Before long, his Macular Degeneration started to interfere with his playing Solitaire. I got a deck that had bolder, larger markings on it and this worked for awhile. After some time, it was too difficult for him to see the markings on the cards so I started playing it and described each play I was making to him in case he couldn't see. I was so glad that we could continue to share this special time together that meant so much to me over the years. I am truly blessed! Lo Children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3
Since these are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my experience, they may not reflect the whole meaning of the verse.


A Change of Phrasing

Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

After the last time when my dad fell and wouldn't let me take him to the Emergency Room, his nurse had a talk with me. In the past, my dad would tell me no when I'd ask him to go to the hospital and I couldn't get him to budge from that position.

The nurse told me that I should no longer ask him to go. I should tell my dad that we are going. He has a choice and he can go to the hospital with us or we are calling the ambulance to take him. You wouldn't think that having a different way of saying something would make such a major difference, but it did.

It empowered me to know how to deal with things in emergency situations. It freed my dad, so that he didn't feel like he had to make a major decision, something that is often difficult for those who have Parkinson's Disease, or other debilitating health issue. I've found that when my dad is faced with making decisions, his most frequent answer is no, but with this new approach simplified things for my dad. I'm so blessed that God has filled my life with the right people who help me know what to do to support my dad. Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

Since these are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my experience, they may not reflect the whole meaning of the verse.

I'm including You Tube Video clips on caregiving that I found interesting, inspirational, or might be helpful to others, but am not responsible for the content in the videos. Always check first with a physician before trying any suggestions mentioned.

Physical Therapy Video: Functional Endurance Exercises for Seniors-24Hr Home Care
By: Dr. Steve Sudell Jr., 24Hr Home Care via You Tube

The Physical Therapist that Made a Difference!

Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth. 1 Corinthians 10:24

We had a Physical Therapist that worked with my dad, but put forth minimal effort and released my dad from further services. She had determined that he had Parkinson's Disease and just needed to see a Neurologist. 

When my dad was re-evaluated for further Physical Therapy support, I asked them if we could have another therapist. I had been prayerful about this prior to the re-evaluation. Actually, asking this was a very difficult thing for me to do. I might not have done that for myself, but I asked because it was for my dad's well-being.

Fortunately, a wonderful Physical Therapist was assigned to him. One that helped my dad get stronger, helped develop his self-esteem, and supported him with feedback and moral support throughout the time my dad was tested for Parkinson's. 

It turned out that my dad didn't have Parkinson's Disease or he would have responded by walking normally when given Sinemet or the generic. Instead, my dad has a Parkinsonism which is somewhat similar to Parkinson's, but is somewhat different in some ways which varies per person. 

The new Physical Therapist found that the generic Sinemet did help my dad some, just not as dramatically as those who have Parkinson's Disease. It allowed my dad to lift his feet about a half an inch or so off the floor instead of shuffling straight on the floor. It might not seem like such a major difference, but it helped him with his balance and made him less of a fall risk.  We feel very blessed that God put this new Physical Therapist into my dad's life. He has gone on now, to open a business of his own. We wish him well, because he made an amazing difference in the quality of my dad's life! Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth. 1 Corinthians 10:24

Since these are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my experience, they may not reflect the whole meaning of the verse.

I'm including You Tube Video clips on caregiving that I found interesting, inspirational, or might be helpful to others, but am not responsible for the content in the videos. Always check first with a physician before trying any suggestions mentioned.

Caregiving Video: Preventing Elderly Falls-Tips from Physical Therapy
By: Bob Schrupp, physicaltherapyvideo via You Tube

Stubbornness Runs in Our Family

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 

My dad fell again, injuring his other ribs. The time he fell on the front porch, he broke his ribs. Now, he was sure he had broken the ribs on the other side, but he wouldn't let me take him to the Emergency Room. I had texted his nurse, who said he needed to go to the ER to get Xrays and make sure there weren't any further injuries, but my dad was bound and determined not to go.

We were at a standoff. He wasn't about to budge and I was trying to get him into the hospital as per his nurse's suggestion. Stubbornness runs in our family, so we were getting nowhere fast! The more I suggested we go to the hospital, the more he didn't want to go. All I knew to do was pray about it, because God always knows our needs and what should be done.

Fortunately, God gave me the feeling that I should quit trying to talk him into going to the ER, which was counterproductive. God always sees the big picture and knew what was best. After a day of us no longer insisting on taking him to the ER, my dad told me that he needed to go get Xrays, because his ribs hurt so badly and he was sure they were broken. If I hadn't listened to the instincts God gave me about backing off, my dad wouldn't have suggested going to the hospital. I feel so blessed to have my dad here with us, but feel even more blessed that the good Lord gets us through the difficult times!  And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 

Since these are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my experience, they may not reflect the whole meaning of the verse.

I'm including You Tube Video clips on caregiving that I found interesting, inspirational, or might be helpful to others, but am not responsible for the content in the videos. Always check first with a physician before trying any suggestions mentioned.

Caregiving Video: How to Deal with Aging Parents that Refuse Help
By: Dr. Mikol Davis, AgingParents.com via You Tube


The Smell Was Overpowering

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: Matthew 6: 14 

My dad wanted to use the urinal, because he had a really weak spell where he kept falling. The idea of the urinal made a lot of sense, initially. It wasn't until I found that with his Macular Degeneration and age, his aim wasn't what it used to be.

The urine smell was overpowering. I washed the bedding, but it was still there. I smelled the carpet and spot washed it with the spray cans. I found the bed had the smell, as well. I washed his pad which helped absorb most of the odor. Fortunately, we had covered his mattress with a plastic cover before putting the padded cover on it, so I washed it down and let it air dry.

I was prayerful about all of this, because I wasn't sure what to do. It didn't pay to be upset with him. My dad was trying his best, but in the middle of the night when he was using the urinal, it was too much to ask for more of him. The idea that God gave me was to move the portable toilet (commode) my husband had from his hip replacement surgery, into my dad's room. I put a throw rug under it in case of a spill. I also put a little bag around the arm with toilet paper and his disposable garments, with a little bucket underneath. We put wet wipes on the stand near it, to use as needed. 

Fortunately, God reminded me about the unused portable toilet, because I was beside myself as to what to do. I feel so blessed to have my dad living here with us for whatever time God allows.

I'm including You Tube Video clips on caregiving that I found interesting, inspirational, or might be helpful to others, but am not responsible for the content in the videos. Always check first with a physician before trying any suggestions mentioned.

Video: Caregiver Help: Saying "Good Idea" Gives Elderly Mom a Boost of Confidence
By: Nancy Adcox via You Tube




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