Keeping in Contact by Phone Isn't All That Easy for Family Members

Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare the shall rejoice. Proverbs 23:25

My dad is hard of hearing and slow to respond to things. When his cell phone rings, it has to ring several times before my dad realizes that he needs to answer his phone. The first thing he does while the phone is still ringing is to pull it out of his pocket and stare at it. By the time the phone quits ringing, he opens it up and gets frustrated that no one is there.

 Additionally, should my dad actually answer the phone before it goes onto the recorder, he can't hear what most people are saying. He will repeatedly say my name over and over again, while I'm telling him what we did that day. If he can't hear what they are saying, he often hangs up.

Sometimes, when I've been there to help him call someone, I've witnessed Dad talk to the person a few minutes and then shut the phone without saying goodbye to the person. I asked him what happened, but he told me that he couldn't hear what they were saying, so he hung up.

We've tried to teach dad how to turn up the volume, but that doesn't work well, because he holds his hand where the volume buttons are which ends up turning down the volume. We've tried to teach dad to put the phone on speaker phone, but it's too difficult for him to remember. Sure, it's somewhat frustrating to family members who try to keep in touch with him over the miles, but they love him and know what a blessing he's been in all of our lives.

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: Tips to Senior-Proof Your Home to Prevent Falls
By: Dr. Jon LaPook, David McSwigan, CBS News via You Tube

Dad's Remembered Even on Valentine's Day!

A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him. Proverbs 17:25

It was so good for me to see that Dad wasn't forgotten on Valentine's Day. There were hand made cards from school kids, cards from unknown adults, and little treats strewn about his room. It's such a delight having Dad at the State Veteran's Home in a community that is so veteran oriented. People come and drop by cards, gifts, or stop by to say, "Hi," at almost every Hallmark related holiday.

What a wonderful thing for both my dad and for me! It makes my dad feel loved and cared for. It doesn't matter one bit to my dad that he doesn't know these people laden with cards and gifts. It brings joy to his life and gives him other people to interact with.

It brings joy to my heart, because it's sometimes difficult being an hour away from my dad and only getting to see him twice a week. At least I know, when there's a holiday when I can't be there, my dad is still getting some special attention. What a blessing!

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.

Video: Physical Therapy Exercises for Seniors: Safe Bed Transfer Training for Caregivers
By: Dr. Steve Sudell, 24Hr HomeCare via You Tube

Going to Work Today?

A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. Proverbs 15: 5

My dad loves going to Physical Therapy. He will quite often say that he went to work that morning. It gives him pride in trying to regain his strength. It also gives him more social interactions. In addition to the traditional physical therapy machines they use with my dad, they also play games, which Dad loves dearly!

Dad's favorite game is dominoes. He used to play dominoes with his close friends during breaks when he used to work full-time. Maybe that's why he says he's going to work. These games help keep his mind working, because of his need to develop strategies for the games.

They not only help with cognition, but they help with his fine motor and interpersonal skills. He has to reach for things and move them, improving Dad's hand-eye motor skills. Dad's not much of a talker, but these games allow low level interaction with staff members and others involved in playing the games. We started playing the bat the balloon game, kind of like badminton, at home with the grandsons, who love it as well. I've included a video below that gives a brief into into some adaptive games for seniors.


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: Rehab Games Intro
By: rehabgamesdallas via You Tube

When Ya Coming?

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

It's got to be difficult for my dad to be an hour away from me and my family, since I am only able to get there to see him twice a week. Sometimes, the day after we've seen him, Dad will call and say, "When Ya Coming?...This afternoon? I have to explain that I was just there the day before and it will be several days until I am able to come again. Before the conversation is over, Day will ask me again, "You're coming today, right?"

Now, if my dad had big memory issues this would be nothing out of the ordinary, but he doesn't, although when he does get pneumonia, his memory goes temporarily hay-wire, until he's on the mend. He does this to let me know that he thinks I should come that day.

It makes me feel guilty when I have to say that I can't come that day. Sometimes, I've felt tempted to be frustrated with my Dad for trying to make me feel guilty, so that I would come more often. That's not what Jesus wants of me. He wants me to be a support for my dad in his declining years. Christ shows me that Dad must feel so totally out of control of most of the things that happen in his life and I can't fault him by trying to exert a little pressure in trying to get me there more often. I have been truly blessed to have all this extra time with my dad, even if it's only two days a week.

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: Physical Therapy Exercises for Seniors: How to Properly Use a Gait Belt
By: Dr. Steve Sudell, 24Hr HomeCare via You 

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