What lengths should we go to keep our loved ones safe? What are the limits of kindness? I locked Mom in her house today. This after Mom attacked me. I am still trying to process our physical scuffle. I thought we were being cruel by administering her anti psychotic meds. It made her drowsy and slow, reduced her gait to a shuffle, and seemed to fuel her delusional ramblings. Now, after reducing the dose to the minimum, I see how much she needs it. Yes, without it she has more

Here’s a new one. Mom absolutely refused to open her mouth when she brushed her teeth. She stood in the bathroom brushing the outside of her teeth, When my dad suggested she also brush the insides, she started screeching in very harsh tones, teeth clenched in the extreme. She was trying to say words, but they remained indiscernible growls. Daddy and I were both surprised. We shared a startled moment then the gears in my head started working out ways to calm her down. Daddy ba

Today is my blog’s first anniversary. If I look back to what I was writing a year ago, I can almost make believe we are in a holding pattern, that the “near distant future” will be a long time coming. Although it is unclear how much time remains, we are aware each day, each month, each year, that Alzheimer’s will soon claim all of Mom. It is not always easy to keep my emotions in check. In my darker moments, I cry for the loss of my beloved mother; I achingly accept her repla