KATYA’S BLOG

THE GERIATRIC HOSPITAL & MEMORY CLINIC

October 9, 2020 Senior Living Costa Rica

The Raul Blanco Cervantes geriatric hospital was originally the Tuberculous hospital and in 1989 when specialized hospitals where established, it converted to a teaching and research center for geriatrics. In 1992 under collaboration with the CCSS, a residency program was established with the School of Medicine of the University of Costa Rica. This hospital is a shining light among the National health care system hospitals in Costa

October 8, 2020 Personal Narratives

We develop close friendships throughout our lives, and some of us are lucky enough to keep those friends our entire life. However, this is often not the case. Life never does what you expect it to do, and sometimes that best friend falls away. This 1970’s photo was sent from my friend, Serin; at one time, we were inseparable like close sisters. We were young, sexy single

October 4, 2020 Mind & Consciousness

They say the ghosts of our past eventually come back to haunt us. Those with dementia usually lose short term memory and begin to remember people and events from their past that were consciously forgotten long ago. Their ghosts often revisit mistaking a grown son for a long-deceased brother or husband or daughter as her mother; they resemble the younger version. They ask when their parents are

September 26, 2020 Personal Narratives

Dery Dyer has been my close friend for over 35 years here in Costa Rica. Yesterday she passed away after a long struggle with severe medical conditions. I was able to see her recently and was about to visit again yesterday, but she died in the morning. For those who don’t know her, she was the owner of the Tico Times for 40 years, the only English

September 20, 2020 Creativity

James had late-stage Alzheimer’s, and Mary had been his wife 48 years, the last seven of which James had resided in a facility. He wandered incessantly, mumbling to himself and avoiding eye contact. Mary visited every day but doubted James was even aware of her presence. Mary was hesitant to participate in our weekly picture communication workshop, thinking James wasn’t capable or be able to sit still

September 8, 2020 Mind & Consciousness

When I first began working with people experiencing dementia, it was apparent their inner world was drastically different from ours. They were on the inside looking out and everyone around them must seem “Out there”. Because I was outside, I wanted to know what “In there” for a person with dementia was like. We usually don’t think much about the reality we live in or what our

September 2, 2020 Dementia

Jennifer is concerned. “I can’t get mom to eat anymore. She says she’s not hungry.” Commonly the person with dementia losses their ability to taste the food, and this is often preceded by loss of smell. During normal aging, some of us lose our thirst, sometimes hunger too. Jennifer’s mom might be experiencing this, or it could be she has forgotten what food is or the procedure

Changing the Face of Dementia

THE GERIATRIC HOSPITAL & MEMORY CLINIC

FRIENDS FALLEN AWAY

GHOSTS OF OUR PAST

Dery

I’M OK, I’M ALIVE

WHAT’S IN THERE

THE SUGAR FIX

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