Pressure Warning
Most of us know of craziness and an uptick in births during a full moon, Nurses swear by it, but are often unaware of barometric pressure influences. This very old tool used by farmers is something that I depended on while taking care of my husband with Alzheimer’s.
Growing up, I was fascinated how our tenant farmer had extraordinary instincts to be in the right place at the right time. A barometer was one of his tools. Extreme and quick drops in the barometric pressure often create abnormal behaviors and changes, similar to a full moon.
Our farmer knew this was also a time to be more watchful. Ready for the strange and unexpected, these quick drops called for more frequent trips to the pasture to check on heifers with approaching due dates. Heightened observance of mares that were about to foal, bringing livestock just a bit closer to the barn or places of security and giving the canines big bones to chew on so they weren’t inclined to run off. He also knew that it was time to prepare for a storm.
Alzheimer’s and other dementias are aggravated by changes – even weather. After all, who could claim that there was never a time they hadn’t felt just a little off kilter when storms were in the forecast? Though I cannot prove it, I often think that there were more chaotic incidences avoided than experienced, because I made choices based on meteorological conditions.
Understand, owning a barometer will not prevent strange occurrences. You can’t stop the cycles of the moon, nor can you stop a pressure depression. What it did do was to help me distinguish between optimal times to venture out with my husband or choose to be in the security of familiar surroundings. Being able to have the tools of diversion at my instant disposal, was better than setting ourselves up for unnecessary risk.
As you can see by the picture of the barometer, this was an ‘off the wall’ day. Even I felt it. I tripped on something I was stepping over, things were spilled and anyone that spoke to me today could have recognized my probable ‘adult attention deficit disorder.’
I write this because since my last post, I have discovered how many are dealing with parents, spouses and friends that suffer from cognitive confusion or loss. You ask for pieces of advice – I would tell you as the storm season approaches, get a barometer.
Begin to understand that the world isn’t defined solely by your calendar or the weather app that tells you ‘we aren’t going to have storms till late this afternoon’. The weirdness of the barometric pressure starts dropping many hours preceding a weather event. On those days when the pressure dips, make sure you check on your loved ones. Try to give them an extra sense of security. Know that it might be better to cancel a planned outing. Be more attentive, even if, you are also experiencing an ‘off’ day. Be aware that just as the animals are affected, so too, are those that are struggling. Peace be with you.