In my last post I talked about how I was getting concerned that Bob was getting separated from me when we traveled.  I had to have constant vigilance, but it was when we had to go to separate restrooms that there was a problem.  Then on the news I heard of an Alzheimer's patient that wandered out of her home one night and froze to death.  I am still very blessed as Bob has never showed any signs that he will wander and I can leave him and go on errands or go to lunch with a friend and he never has left the house.  But there is always a first time, so I decided to be proactive with his safety.  I purchased a home alarm when he was first diagnosed, and a couple of nights recently he has stayed up all night, saying he had to go to work.  So I just set the alarm as I do every night and went to bed and went to sleep, because if he would go out, it would set off the alarm.  And he never disturbs anything in the house.  The social worker at the Alzheimer's center also recommended we both get medic alert bracelets, as what if something happened to me when I was gone, such as a car accident?  My bracelet says "caregiver" and the emergency numbers so emergency personnel would know someone that needed me was at home.  And recently our daughter Valerie asked that I set up an "emergency response team" so that, God forbid, I had to be rushed to the hospital in an ambulance, that she could call one of the people on the list, and they would come and stay with Bob for the 5 or so hours until she could get here from St. Louis.  And I went even further.  I just purchased a GPS device, which is connected to an app on my phone, that if he were to leave the house,  or gets lost when we travel, I could find him.  He wears the bracelet with no problem, so I am hopeful he will be able to keep this in his pocket.  I think he knows on some level that he is safe in the house, but when I leave he ALWAYS says to me "Be careful, I need you".  So he also realizes that he needs me to care for him.
People ask what he does when I go out.  I have no way of knowing unless I purchase a babysitter cam, but I think he either naps or watches TV!  The house is always in order, and the papers that were maybe strewn on the desk or table are neatly straightened up!  The Alzheimer's Association says not to use the TV as a "babysitter" but since he doesn't read anymore, it occupies his time, and he seems to enjoy it.  I used to turn on CNN, as he loved that, but the news seemed to make him more agitated (doesn't it do that to everyone?!) and he would focus on Putin for hours after he heard his name.  So I turn on the easy listening music channel now.  He loves that, and loves the facts that are displayed with each song.  Bob has always liked music, and seems to like it even more now, which I have read is common with Alzheimer's patients.  It clicks with something deep in their brain, and maybe even revives memories associated with the songs.
I read this recently and I love it.  Alzheimer's patients are deeply forgetful, and even though they have don't have memory, they still have feelings.  I am going to close with something our pastor Douglas Elsey sent me.  It is beautiful.  Thank you so much, Pastor Elsey!

IF ALZHEIMER'S COULD SPEAK

Talk to me:
I can hear your words and they touch my soul

Smile at me:
My eyes can see you and feel your heart, even when I can't remember how to smile back

Hold my hand:
I can feel your energy when our hands connect and it makes me feel safe and less alone

Live your life:
Help me on my path, but don't press "pause" on your life.  Be the vibrant person I know and love

Trust the process
I know this is hard and not what we planned but trust the process.  We can't control it, but we can choose our focus.  Remember the good times.  Know that I am OK and that you are in my heart always.

I love you Bob,
Betty