I'm crossing my fingers that I'm not jinxing things but I just had to tell
you guys how great it is going with my Daddy.
Just to briefly recap, he has been having a challenging time adjusting
to his "new" digs in an ALF a mile away from me (moved in at the end
of May)--wanted to go walking off by himself down and across the
busy neighborhood highway, would not participate in any activities,
refused to eat in the dining room with all those "old people," etc.,etc.,etc.
I finally ended up hiring a private caregiver for him, 7 days a week,
for the most problematic hours (late afternoon through dinner).
She very kindly brought his food to his room for him, and a couple of
weeks ago he threw it at her. That's when I broke down and filled the
doctor's perscription for Haldol.
Thanks to the patience of the caregiver and her willingness to treat him
as an individual and respond to him accordingly (and probably also thanks
to the pill), he is now actually entertaining one of the other residents in
his apartment! She is the sweetest little lady, and I've grown quite
fond of her (Miss Martha Jane), and I think she finds my Daddy to be
quite dashing (he is... especially when he's out for a walk and trying to
leave the caregiver in his dust...). He's eating his meals better, as the
caregiver tells him his daughter cooked it for him--apparently, though,
he does not like my salmon.
Anyhew, no crisis calls for 2 weeks, and he seems to be actually happy.
I shall enjoy it while I can!

Carol,

That is great news, indeed. Bless the caregivers heart for seeing past this awful disease to the person. She is a treasure. I hope this will last for quite awhile for you -- it is so comforting to see our LO's more at peace with themselves (even if it took a little bit of medication to make it happen.)