Alzheimer’s Wasn’t In The Manual: Caring for the nurse who raised me.

My brother came over this past week to "help" , which if anyone has listened before, might suspect that it didn't exactly make my day easier.

Then my mom told me that I "Mean Well." and suddenly I was reminded of something my grandmother used to say about her sons many years ago. Somehow, all these years later, things have come full circle.

In this episode, I talk about family, caregiving, the absurdity that gets us through difficult days, and those little moments that connect the past to the present.

You can also follow me on Youtube at Alzheimer's Wasn't In the manual, and also on X at Paul_L_O'Brien

My brother stopped by to visit my mom last week. They talked for a while, and everything seemed perfectly normal.

After he left, she turned to me and said " I don't know what that man was, but he seems to think he's part of the family.

It's a story that's funny at first, but also reminds us how Alzheimer's can change recognition while leaving so much of a person's personality and humor intact. In this episode, I share what happened, what was going through my mind and why moments like these are heartbreaking and strangely funny.

At 2:30 am, my mom woke up terrified. She was convinced her baby Paul, had crawled out of bed and was on the floor.

The only problem? Im 54 years old, and I was sitting just a few feet away watching her search for the little boy she remembere.d

For the next hour and a half I found myself living in her reality, trying to comfort a frightened mother whose memories had carried her back more than 50 years.

This is the story of one surreal night that perfectly captures what Alzheimer's caregiving can be like.

I sat down to record this week and was convinced that I had nothing to share. In fact, I almost reused an old story because the days all blend together and I forgot.

Two hours after lunch, my mom gave me a great gift..another funny story. She saved the day!

In this episode, I use this story as an example of how caregiving for someone with Alzheimer's can be very strange. Its repetitive,

sad, funny, and frustrating all at the same time.

If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer's , I hope you will appreciate this, or find something familiar here.

Thanks for listening!

In this episode, I share more behind the scenes moments in a normal day as the caregiver to my mom with Alzheimer's

I share a few funny, yet typical stories. they are a bit zany, and also a bit sad. The roller coaster continues....

Living as a 24/7 caregiver is full of emotion ( I don't cry, don't worry) There is never a dull moment.

In this episode, I share my day to day experiences as a caregiver to my 89 year old mom with Alzheimer's.

This is episode number 8. My other episodes have mostly shared one particular experience. This episode is more reflective.

I was walking my mom to the bathroom. I reminded her to knock on the wall so she would know where to sit down. She waved me off and said "yeah, yeah, some crazy guy already taught me that."

In this episode I share another moment from our daily life navigating the strange world of Alzheimer's...One that made me laugh out loud, even during just another caregiving task. These are the moments that remind me how the days can be funny, sad, and confusing all at once

Join me as I tell the story behind "The crazy guy" and reflect on the unexpected gifts hidden inside this very challenging journey

My mom looked at my sister and became confused when she realized her sister and her daughter had the same first name.

"Who would be crazy enough to name their daughter the same name as their sister? "she asked.

I told her "You'd be surprised"

Alzheimer's can really mess with time, relationships, and memories very quickly.Sometimes all you can do is laugh.

My mom asked if I was British this morning while I was helping her get dressed.

That's how this episode starts.

A short story about humor, confusion, caregiving, and the crazy everyday moments that Alzheimer's brings.

Hair washing day sounds simple until it becomes part comedy routine, part emotional Time Machine, and part caregiving reality.

In episode 3, I discuss one small moment with my mom that turns into one of the funniest and sweetest compliments I've

gotten in a long time.

Caregiving can be exhausting, heartbreaking, awkward, and absolutely hilarious. sometimes all within minutes.