Good Morning 8-28-12

I feel great this morning.  It is 5:40am and I am in my bed sitting up and talking to God.  I woke up at 4:20am, went down on my knees and asked God what do I do today.  God said, Sara, listen in my quiet time.  The answer was: share your information that you should have done 4 weeks and 3 years also.

So, here we go.  Every year I go to my doctor to find out how well I’m doing, going up or going down.   First he checked my eyes, ears, nose, mouth and teeth.  Next was, feeling my head and my neck.  So far, OK.  Then he checked the rest of my body.  We talked about meds ok, foods ok.  Are we done, no!  Now we talk about my feelings.  Hmm, sometimes good and sometimes not and it is normal for Alzheimer’s.  

Now we come to the test: the test is Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) with maximum score.   I don’t like it, yet I want to do it.  The test is to see if I am holding my own or if I go up or down on my list.   Probably down, normally!  First time I did the test my score was 23.  The doctor then had me try a pill called Aricept  and gave me a prescription. I was to use the pills, one a day for three months and then come back.  I did.  I took the test and I was a 29!  I was so happy, so happy.   Thank You God! I don’t have to go back till next year.  The next year I was at 27 and not so happy. I can deal with it.  God is with me.

So last 4 week, my doctor did the test, It’s hard to say as the tears are starting and am trying to stop them.    I tested a 23.  I knew that I was losing more words, slowing down, my writings and my readings and I hoped that it would be a 26 or 25, even 24.   But no it is 23 and again I will deal with God.  Yea, He makes me to remember that He will be with me.

Now I want to apologize to all of my friends who read my blog, because I promised to you that I would share what is happing in my Journey with God and with Alzheimer’s.  I didn’t.  I wanted to share everything and the words would not come out.  

Well today, I woke up this morning asking God, what do I do today.  We now have the answer.  Again, God lifts us up so others can get the answers from God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  

Love to all.

Sara

Bom dia 8-28-12

Eu me sinto ótimo, esta manhã. É 05:40 e estou na minha cama sentado e conversando com Deus. Acordei às 4:20 da manhã, caiu de joelhos e pediu a Deus o que eu faço hoje. Deus disse, Sara, ouvir no meu tempo quieto. A resposta foi: a informação que você deveria ter feito 4 semanas e 3 anos também.Então, aqui vamos nós. Todo ano eu vou para o meu médico para descobrir o quão bem eu estou fazendo, indo para cima ou descer. Primeiro ele verificou meus olhos, ouvidos, nariz, boca e dentes. Em seguida foi, sentindo minha cabeça e meu pescoço.Até agora, OK. Em seguida, ele verificou o resto do meu corpo. Nós conversamos sobre medicamentos ok, ok alimentos. Terminamos, não! Agora vamos falar sobre os meus sentimentos. Hmm, às vezes bem e às vezes não, e é normal que a doença de Alzheimer.
Agora vamos para o teste: o teste é Mini-Exame do Estado Mental (MMSE), com pontuação máxima. Eu não gosto, mas eu quero fazer isso. O teste é para ver se eu estou segurando a minha própria ou se eu ir para cima ou para baixo na minha lista.Provavelmente para baixo, normalmente! Primeira vez que eu fiz o teste minha pontuação foi de 23. O médico, então, tinha-me tentar uma pílula chamada Aricept e me deu uma receita. Eu era usar as pílulas, uma por dia, durante três meses e depois voltar. Eu fiz. Fiz o teste e eu era um 29! Eu estava tão feliz, tão feliz. Obrigado Deus!Eu não tenho que voltar até o próximo ano. No ano seguinte, foi a 27 e não tão feliz. Eu posso lidar com isso. Deus está comigo.Então, na semana passada quatro, meu médico fez o teste, é difícil dizer como as lágrimas estão começando e estou tentando detê-los. Eu testei um 23. Eu sabia que estava perdendo mais palavras, abrandar, meus escritos e as minhas leituras e eu esperava que seria um 26 ou 25, mesmo 24. Mas não é 23 e de novo eu vou lidar com Deus. Sim, Ele me faz lembrar que Ele vai estar comigo.Agora eu quero pedir desculpas a todos os meus amigos que lêem o meu blog, porque eu prometi a vocês que eu iria partilhar o que está a acontecer na minha jornada com Deus e com Alzheimer. Eu não. Eu queria compartilhar tudo e as palavras não saem.
Bem, hoje, eu acordei esta manhã pedindo a Deus, o que eu faço hoje. Nós agora temos a resposta. Mais uma vez, Deus nos levanta para que outros possam obter as respostas de Deus, Jesus eo Espírito Santo.Amor a todos.
Sara

New Hope Valley Assisted Living Home is proud to support Sara Parkin’s “Overactive Brains” team for the Alzheimer’s Association walk in Midland, MI on September 22nd @ 9:00 am. Come join us at Emerson Park, 911 West Main Street to raise awareness and funds to fight Alzheimer’s disease.
http://act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk/MI-GreaterMichigan/106578871?pg=team&fr_id=1736&team_id=51977

What a Blessing. Rumi, a friend of mine and he is on my Team He is on my team to walk with me and others. I will be there, hope you can come too.

2012 Walk to End Alzheimer's - Midland, MI: Overactive Brains - Alzheimer's Association

act.alz.org

2012 Walk to End Alzheimer's - Midland, MI

July Volunteer Training Tip

Hi, it is Sara, my friends.  On July 24^th, I received an email from Emily Harwood in Midland, MI.  She is an Activity Specialist at Seasons Adult Day Service at Senior Services.  I volunteer in this program and I love doing it.  What do I do?  I water the plants inside and outside in the garden once a week.  The last 3 weeks I did not water outside because the rain took my place.  Now don’t laugh, OK.  The first time this year I went outside and got out the hose and started watering the plants, it felt so good.  Then I was feeling some drops on my arms and legs and it was getting wetter and I thought it was raining.  No, no rain.  Just the sprinkler system was watering me.  I still had the hose in my hand and I tried to shut it down, but I couldn’t, so I threw it down and ran, and all the way I was laughing.  I like being there. 

There are many ways we can help and I like to talk, walk, laugh, sing, and assist anyone in need.  Also, being out in the garden we can pick some fruits and veggies.

Now it is time for Emily to take over!  (This is from the July 24^th email I mentioned.)

 

Hello Volunteers,

 Back in May, Renee discussed suggestions to keep in mind when doing activities with people with dementia. This month, I would like to highlight different types of activities and 30 successful downtime activities that can be performed while volunteering at Seasons. Remember, activities should bring meaning, purpose, joy and hope to the person's life. Activities should also use the person’s skills and abilities along with being enjoyable! Don’t forget to focus on the process, not the end result. Try out one of these activities next time your leading a small group or friendly visiting.  

 Types of Activities:

Creative: Painting, playing the piano

Intellectual: Reading a book, doing crossword puzzles

Physical: Taking a walk, playing catch

Social: Having coffee, talking, playing cards

Spiritual: Praying, singing a hymn

Spontaneous: Going out to dinner, visiting friends

Work-related: Making notes, typing, fixing something

Chores: Dusting, sweeping, doing laundry

Mealtime: Preparing food, cooking, eating

 30 Successful Downtime Activities:

1.  String beads

2.  Dry/wash dishes

3.  Dust

4.  Arrange flowers

5.  Fold laundry

6.  Bake/Cook

7.  Sand wood

8.  Sort fabrics

9.  Sort silverware

10. Vacuum/Sweep

11. Wash windows

12. Water plants

13. Large piece puzzles

14. Ball yarn

15. Clip Coupons

16. Shine Silverware

17. Walk outside

18. Manicures/ Makeup

19. Look through old records

20. Balloon tap or toss

21. Dance

22. Read short stories

23. Rake leaves

24. Look through photo albums

25. String cheerios for birds

26. Paint

27. Sort costume jewelry

28. Play Uno

29. Peel potatoes

30. Husk corn

Volunteers are seldom paid; not because they are worthless, but because they are PRICELESS!

Emily Harwood

Activity Specialist

Seasons Adult Day Service

989-633-3734

eharwood@mccoa.org