Two
months ago I began my experiments with finger food to hopefully prolong Patti’s
ability to self-feed.
Two
months ago I accompanied the earliest experiments in self feeding with verbal
cueing … now here I was preparing to experiment with introducing TV to eating.
.jpg "TV dinner / caring and the culinary arts")
Again I
attribute much success to cutting everything into varying shapes and sizes
along with the differences in touch to the textures of fruit, poultry, and
cheese. Let’s face it licking one’s fingers after buffalo wings is something that
gets your attention.
Distractions
while eating for Patti with her Multiple Sclerosis related dysphagia can be dangerous to fatal.
However what I have always found is that it is the kind of distraction. Large gatherings
involving meals are audio and cognitive over- stimulation. For people with
cognitive or dysphagia symptoms frankly it is more about trying to survive than
ever enjoying a noisy busy dinner.
I am not
saying TV is a substitute for anything.
What I am saying is that I was able to introduce a variable, a single ‘distraction’,
into my experiments with finger food for self-feeding without a problem for
Patti. … In fact she surprised me when she discussed some news stories during commercials.
Perhaps engaged might be a better word than distraction?
In the
care facility era I look for symptoms I especially can have a unique ‘hands on’
impact with. I can no longer do it all but I can do some of it now even better.
by Patrick Leer
BLOGS:
Caregivingly Yours, MS Caregiver @ http://caregivinglyyours.blogspot.com/
My Lung Cancer Odyssey @ http://lung-cancer-survivor.blogspot.com/
multiple sclerosis
caregiving
I think what you're doing is wonderful, Patrick. I wanted to ask if they do any follow-ups at Patti's facility. When you tell them about your experiments, do they become interested and want to continue the experience?
ReplyDeleteAlthough it's a totally different situation, I find that when I try different things at my mother's home, I like to share any success stories. Rarely do they follow up on any of them. Just wondering...
Peace,
Muff
Yes they do depending on therapy budget for Patti. As an American with MS receiving Medicare she is entitled to x amount of therapy (occupational, speech, and physical. They have an in house therapy department who is always welcoming to families their ideas and experiences.
DeleteThis is thoughtful of you...I hope she improves. Always
ReplyDeleteYou are doing well and Thanks for sharing your experience..
ReplyDelete