Unsplash
We got home a while ago from visiting Harvey in the nursing home.
It’s getting more and more like a stressful game of charades, or sending smoke signals, or playing the old “20 Questions” game when trying to communicate with my husband.
Today he asked for his notebook. He had written a page and a half of notes he wanted to tell us. The trouble was, his writing was undecipherable. I kept going over and over it, hoping a word or two would give me a clue, but I gave up finally and handed it to Brian. He couldn’t make any sense of it, either. Worst of all, Harvey couldn’t read it – even with his glasses – or remember what he had written.
We gave up on that and just tried to talk to him. The only thing we got was 1) he wanted to come home with us 🥲 and 2) he wanted to order a dishwasher for the condo online (one of the reasons we don’t give him his phone.) I explained to him that we don’t have a lot of dishes to wash and also there wasn’t room to add a dishwasher to the kitchen.
He did say he had a good time playing with the dogs on his wheelchair ride. We are hoping that they take him out every day that the weather is cooperative. It’s a good thing for him to look forward to.
On the way home, we stopped at the small mall to run an errand plus check out a shop that supposedly offered magazines. They DID! We got him three and will take one to him when we visit Sunday. He wanted a newspaper because he wanted to read Thai (and the magazines will enable him to look at written Thai as much as he wants.) He really liked the sugar-free grape drink Brian brought for him and sucked it right down.
Even though communication is more and more of a challenge, he seems to be comfortable. We are hoping the magazine Sunday will give him some good entertainment.
creativeartworksblog 
Could he use a small dictaphone to make his notes? It might encourage him to speak more without thinking of it as a chore. Also if he is unable to write with his dominant hand try getting him to swap hands. Years ago I was a carer and got a lady who was suffering from a stroke to swap. She could write better than she thought she would X
Only a thought, not saying it will work X
LikeLiked by 2 people
Both of these are interesting ideas, Christine, and I thank you. We can certainly see if he can write with his left hand. The dictaphone is a bit problematic as he mostly just mouths the words, rather than actually speaking aloud much, but it’s something to think about down the road. I appreciate both of these suggestions, and I thank you for sharing them. 🤗
LikeLiked by 3 people
So sorry. I am glad you make the trips though I know it is hard.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your kind words, Eunice
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, wonderful about finding the magazines!! And I love the “recording his notes/voice” idea, if possible. We got our granddaughters indestructible type tablets and they love recording themselves doing stuff. Just a thought if a dictaphone or other recorder is too much for Harvey to learn/use.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s good to have some options to explore.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m glad to x good luck to you all x
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Christine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Iam happy to good luck to you All. A thought if a dictaphone or other recorder is too much for Harvey to learn.
LikeLike
It’s too much for him now. He mouths the words and we try to read his lips.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very good improvement. Iam so glad. Thanks God 🙏
LikeLike
thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome!
LikeLike