Ghostwriter
It is hard to explain to someone who has not lived through it, but it’s a worth a try. First is it important to know some of things that happen when people have dementia. It’s not just that they can’t remember. They remember some things and will fight with vigor that other things didn’t happen. They will know you one minute and the next minute you are a stranger or worse an enemy. You can never tell when the switch is going to flip.
People with dementia will often repeat themselves over and over and over and over and over and over and over. They will put on their coat to go outside, you go for a short walk come in take off the coat and within two minutes have to do it all over again, all morning long.
They really don’t remember so when you are trying to distract them you need to tell them who is in the picture, how you know them and why it was important and you have to make them a part of the conversation. It’s hard to understand until you have lived it.
They may set the table and begin making a meal. You redirect them and then as soon as you turn your back or they a have moment they begin getting the items out again.
They really don’t know the people who come to visit, like their own children. You say, this is Mary, she loves you very much. And then you might suggest they look at pictures. The key is to tell them who is in every picture. don’t distress them by asking because they don’t know.
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Question of
Did you know that most people with denmentia have hallucinations?
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Do you understand that they may have no short term memory?
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Question of
Have you ever dealt with it in your family?
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Question of
Would more tips be helpful?
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I know it can get tiring because they don’t remember what they said or wanted. I have not live with someone with Dementia. I do contacted with one of them – my friend’s grandma.
When I was over I witness how forgetful she can be. A moment she wanted porridge, the next she said she wanted rice and not porridge. I know it won’t be easy … just do your best 🙂