I have a small quandary : My... - Memory Health: Al...

Memory Health: Alzheimer's Support Group

1,350 members382 posts

I have a small quandary

Poppygail profile image
PoppygailAmbassador
3 Replies

My granddaughter turns 10 today. She has always been her Poppy's girl, we kind of have a bond. I'm the only grandfather she has ever, or ever will, known. She realizes that her Poppy is having memory issues and doesn't participate in as many things as I used to. I haven't tried to hide my condition from her. But I don't push it at her either. Intellectually, she's probably ready to enter college. Emotionally, she's a 10-11 year old.

Yesterday, she brought me a book that she is very excited about and asked that I read it so that we could discuss it. Normally, I would have pleaded the inability to read it due to the size of the text and my poor vision but this was in extra large type and, with effort, I could read it. There is no audio equivalent to fall back upon.

She can cite facts from nearly any portion of the book without hesitation. I, on the other hand, can't concentrate long enough to read a chapter and remember what I've read. Heck, most of the time I need to go back to the beginning of the paragraph to understand what the end of the paragraph related to.

And therein lies my quandary. How do I tell this beautiful 10 year old that her Poppy has deteriorated to the point that I can't read a page, comprehend it, and remember the information. She has always known me as someone who could do whatever I set my mind to, a very capable person. Now please don't misunderstand. I'm not afraid of looking weak in her eyes. I'm afraid of scaring her. I don't want to put more out there than she's capable of handling and possibly giving her the fear of my imminent loss. As I said, she is very intelligent and if I tell her I can't comprehend the information she is going to want to know why. And in depth. And I'm not into big secrets, but I'm all about age appropriateness too.

So, there's where I'm at. I've got to come to some decision. My wife suggests reading just enough to give her a few questions and get her started explaining everything to me. She, much more than likely, will take over from there. I think this is probably the way I will go. My wife, she's a wise one. But I'm also open to any good suggestions you kind folks may have. So dig deep. I'm waiting.

Randy

Written by
Poppygail profile image
Poppygail
Ambassador
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
3 Replies
PNIAuthor60 profile image
PNIAuthor60

I think your wife's idea is right on the mark. I think you'll find that if you answer her questions as honestly and simply as you can and geared to her age and understanding, things will go well. Reading together is giving the gift of time to each other and moments together now are so important as you already know.

Take your cue from her and respond accordingly.

ChristianElliott profile image
ChristianElliottPartner

Randy,

If your granddaughter is willing, how about you both agree to turn the tables -- she's the teacher, and you're the student on certain things. She does all the reading/explaining, you ask a few questions....

Not sure if this helps, but this if the first thing that came to mind.

All the best, Christian

jeffcobb profile image
jeffcobbAmbassador

Snicker....I used to pull that all the time in engineering meetings when I wasn't really ready, like when the MCI was setting in. I just wrote it off to successful management thru BS myself..... :)

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Lost in the tale.

My wife is an avid reader and as many avid readers are won’t to do, she loves to give me vivid,...
Poppygail profile image
Ambassador

A good day

You people should be so happy that you can't hear me right now because I'm belting out the song,...
Poppygail profile image
Ambassador

Meet Oscar

I would like to make today’s post a little different. I don’t want to have the normal this is what...
Poppygail profile image
Ambassador

Having A Good Week

This has been a good week. The weather, for the most part, has been warm and beautiful, something...
Poppygail profile image
Ambassador

I don’t want to be the person I find my self becoming.

Hi All, I’ve been debating for some time whether I should write this post. On one hand it seems...
Poppygail profile image
Ambassador

Moderation team

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.