My Gramps, the Escapee

My Grandpa was recently checked into an assisted living home. He suffers from Alzheimer's Disease and he is very lost most of the time. He used to be a coach for Dixie College, so people who remember him will often bring up what a good coach he was. It's nice to hear their stories, even though he can't remember them. When people ask him questions, he has a lot of one liners to fake his mind being absent. For example, to make conversation I asked him what he liked to do. His reply, "A little of this, a little of that. That's what I like to do." The other problem with Grandpa Horlacher is that he always feels like he has to be somewhere. He is constantly on the move and constantly packing his dirty clothes for his future trip. They call him a flight risk. They often find him in the parking lot sitting in other peoples cars looking for what he thinks are HIS keys. The owners will come out and wonder why this old man is sitting in their car. Last week he ran away with another Alzheimer's patient (bad buddy to be in cahoots with) and he's also scaled the back wall. Very impressive for an 80yr old man. Yes, you see, he is in tip top shape, always has been, and that's what's makes his escapes frightening, because he could go forever. My aunt once found him walking half way back into town.

To keep his mind off escaping he is so good to help with the ladies-Francis and LaRue. He often gets them drinks of water and helps them get around the home. Just like he waited on my Grandma all those years.



He is also still playful with my children, just like he was with us. He was the best Grandpa growing up. He took us for hikes, mo-ped rides, and often teased and tickled us. It was so nice to see that somewhere in his mind, some things will stay the same.



I've had fun taking him on rides to Dixie Nutrition for frozen yogurts and having him shop with me just to get him out. He is so happy to be out and about, he doesn't care where, just somewhere. It makes me happy too.