» Alzheimer’s Gone Wild – Camping with Momma

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Dec1707

Alzheimer’s Gone Wild – Camping with Momma

Jonathon

I’ve been asked to teach Contact Improv Dance at the Aleila Festival in Parry Sound. I considered putting Mom in Short-Term Accommodation for the weekend, but Mom has been walking really well, and I think we’re prepared for everything, so we’re camping in our old olde tent. I’ve got a friend’s car for the weekend. I’m sure Mom will have moments of being anxious and uncomfortable, and moments of great peace and pleasure. Update:

Mom was amazing:

At home, she goes to the bathroom twice per hour. In the car, she did not ask to stop once during either 5-hour drive.
At home, she will not touch the floor – even on carpet, even with her feet, but she readily knelt down and turned around to sit and then lie on the tent floor. (Beneath her I had put roll-out foam padding.)
She joined the group by the campfire.
She trekked down to the waterfall, which included hiking up and being lifted down impossible impasses.
She went to the port-a-potty in the middle of the night, walking in the cold on uneven ground.
All these things she did with me, but I was also able to leave her with others or in the tent.
And during an evening of performances, I pulled her up on stage and we danced while singing “Go to Sleep My Baby”.