The air, a balmy 74 degrees, the first wonderful Arizona day
in weeks; we decide to take Bob to the park to feed the ducks. Entering the car easily, we park; he sees the
lake and we walk down the embankment. I hand Bob a slice of fresh white bread
and he throws small pieces into the water. A crowd of people, ducks and birds
surround us; Bob wants to leave. We find a protected iron-fenced patio used by
fishermen; standing there Bob feels safe again and happily tosses morsels of
bread to the ducks as he eats some, too.
One of the children at the park threw her potato chips to
the ducks, another fed the ducks cheerios. Care partners of folks with advanced
dementia also have to use fresh duck food; the stale bread my mother saved for
ducks won’t work now.
When Steve and I entered the memory care unit Bob was seated
in one of the leather chairs as a care worker tossed a soccer-sized Nerf ball
to each of several residents. Bob was attentive and focused. He caught the ball
each time it was thrown to him and he threw it back, remaining seated for more
than ten minutes. Some residents modified the game, throwing the ball to each
other, but Bob remained focused on the care worker. It was a pleasure to sit at
the sidelines and see him participating happily in an activity.
Bob was definitely out of his comfort zone at the park; he
felt much better when we arrived back at his home where he was promptly
escorted by another care worker to the dining table for dinner. I value the day
we spent together, seeing Bob get fresh air, watching him enjoy feeding the
ducks and the birds. I wouldn’t take Bob by myself but thanks to Steve we
manage safely.
No comments:
Post a Comment