June 3, 2020
On several of the dementia sites, you usually find someone posting frustration and aggravation over their loved one’s constant repeating. Today someone asked, “At what stage are they in when they repeat all the time?” I responded with, “Early, get ready for lots of adjusting; they can’t.” It was obvious that this caregiver had just taken their seat on this roller coaster and their ride was just
May 31, 2020
Even when a person with dementia can no longer do much, they can benefit from simply watching you do something as long as you include them. “Mom, I’m going to put together a puzzle. I’d love for you to keep me company.” Invite them to watch and talk about what you are doing with them. In this way, they are interacting and an interesting brain process happens;
May 29, 2020
Many dementia symptoms are specific to the individual but some are common in most. One is shuffling when walking. I was told shuffling was commonly caused by loss of balance during dementia, but I felt there was more. Some of the shufflings can be caused by vision changes. It’s commonly understood as peripheral sight diminishes; they get tunnel vision. But most people don’t know they also lose
May 28, 2020
One of the common effects of dementia progression is the loss of the ability to regulate body temperature; it’s either too hot or too cold. For years I gave caregiver workshops on improving communication with those with dementia which were hosted by different eldercare facilities. I was in and out of scores of places and witnessed the good and bad aspects of the care the residents received
May 26, 2020
I was working as a personal advocate in a dementia care facility and writing magazine articles about how the present-day eldercare system was antiquated and totally unprepared for the Baby Boomer generation. One of the residents, Mattie was 53 years old and diagnosed with early onset dementia. At first appearances she seemed so normal she was often mistaken as a visitor. Her determination to escape forced the
May 21, 2020
So many thoughts So many happenings I drown in them Memories like spawning fish Furiously chase coherency Rising Rebirthing Shifting, Reshaping Becoming A return to the spirit A Return to Innocence
May 20, 2020
You’ve just got the medical diagnosis of early dementia and you feel someone just hit you with a sledgehammer. Now what? The doctor tells you about some medications to slow the symptoms and suggests a support group but that’s it. You and your spouse are on your own from here on. You decide there’s nothing you can do about it and its too frightening to talk about.
