Choices to be Made When Dealing with Dementia Patients
Published October 20, 2007Dealing with dementia is all about the choices you make
There are at least two ways I can choose to feel when I go to visit my aunt, who is in the throes of the effects of dementia and residing in an Assisted Living Facility. I can be sad and depressed and on the verge of tears because it’s hard to recognize the person in front of me as my aunt. She was always very prim and proper with the same neat, short hairstyle forever and a very basic, plain style of dressing. The only flamboyancy I ever saw her express over the years was her purchase of a few convertible cars.
Another choice I have besides sadness is to look for a little humor in the person she has become. Gone is the neat hairstyle of the past, and in its place is a rather scary, unkempt Richard Lewis look. The plain, but color coordinated outfits have been replaced with some really bad clothing choices. The effects of dementia causes her to ignore two closets filled with clothing and opts to wear basically the same thing every day—topped off with shoes with no socks. Her socks, and other items, disappear on a regular basis. The staff at the facility thinks she throws them out. Initially, I found myself getting upset about things that went missing. Now, I just replace them.
The effects of dementia is causing my aunt to steadily lose her vocabulary. I have learned it is best to ask questions that can be answered simply—yes or no if possible. She no longer turns the television in her room on, but recently while waiting to be called for an appointment in a doctor‘s office, she was watching the national news channel that was on. She expressed extreme dislike of the green Geiko Gecko character, and when she saw George W. Bush, she announced to everyone in the waiting room, “I know that guy.” I had to chuckle. There are blogs devoted to finding some humor in the daily lives of Alzheimer and Dementia patients. I find them to be an affirmation that there are choices we can make when dealing with dementia and our loved ones affected by the disease.
Operations Manager, Barton Home Care
Caring for Our Veterans – An Honor and a Privilege
Published October 9, 2007After watching Ken Burns’ “The War,” I came away with a renewed appreciation for that man’s talent at making superbly crafted documentaries. And in particular, I thank him for his subject matter this time … WWII. I am in awe of the men and women who got us through that War. Yes, we out produced our enemies and we also had some of the bravest men give it their all to ensure our freedom.
My father served as a gunner in a B-29 bomber in the Pacific. Over the years I have learned more and more about the various battles and horrific sacrifices our service men made for this country. He is eternally grateful to the Marines who captured the island of Iwo Jima. It was strategically vital as an emergency landing field for B-29′s that suffered damage from bombing raids over Japan. He’s certain that their sacrifice saved his life. The War was certainly one of the most meaningful events in my father’s life.
As a home care provider, I have and continue to be honored and privileged to serve some of our veterans from WWII and other wars as well. We are currently providing care for a Two Star General struggling with Alzheimer’s Disease. We also serve a gentleman who was captured by the Japanese and held as a POW for four years. And for several years now we have been providing care for a 90 year old woman who helped to build B-29 bombers. She was a “Rosie the Riveter” and without women such as her, the outcome of The War may not have been favorable.
The more I learn about WWII the more I am amazed. To think that we had to fight on two fronts, the Pacific and Europe, and the fact that our freedom was truly threatened is something that I hope no one forgets. After all, we are losing our WWII Vets at an alarming pace. It’s important to honor them. Please, anytime you encounter a Vet from that War or any war — please take the time to personally thank them for what they did. I salute all of our veterans for their bravery and sacrifice. I truly am honored to serve those who served all of us so well.
Owner, Barton Home Care
Almost 100 and Still Appreciating Life
Published September 27, 2007Sal was first introduced to you in a blog entitled “99 and Still Going Strong.” As 100 draws near, he continues to amaze us all, but in particular his very devoted caregiver, Meredith. Here’s what she reported to us recently:
I wanted to share my most recent adventure with Sal. He was very agitated that his valet was broken. This is a favorite piece of his furniture that holds his clothes by his bed and allows him to have more room for moving around in his wheel chair. He asked if I would take him to Ackerman and Sons to have them fix it even though he thought they would have to keep it for some time, and that it would be expensive to repair. I loaded it in the Caddy and off we went. We found the place, and they assisted us the minute we arrived. It was repaired in five minutes, and they loaded it back into the car. They said that it was Senior Discount Day and that the cost was “Free.” Sal was so touched that when he got in the car, he got very teary and said that this was the best day ever. Even though this seemed like such a small thing to do, it made an unbelievable difference in his freedom and ability to be on his own. I have to say that I thought it was just a simple errand with mission accomplished, but he talked about this on and off for the next four hours. He said that it is nice to meet people like this along life’s journey but then if he hadn’t had me to make it possible, it wouldn’t have happened. He felt that I was his lucky charm. This was so powerful to me. I can see that in daily living, it is the small stuff that counts for these seniors and we must always remember this.
Then, when we returned home and got the mail, the pope’s blessing was there. He gave me the honor of opening it because I had facilitated him receiving it. We looked over this ornate certificate honoring Sal for his 100 years. He again was overcome with emotion and said he can’t wait to frame it. He said he was so glad that I cared about his religious background.
So later this week we are going back to Ackerman and Sons to give them something from Sal (I think he wants to get them a bottle of wine) and then to the framing shop. He just pats my arm and says, “You are the blessing in my life.”
And I found him through Barton Home Care - what a blessing for me too!
Meredith
Caregiver Extraordinaire for Barton Home Care
