My Mother's Journey With Dementia

Dementia Patient's Clock Drawing Test

One of the items during in home dementia evaluation that was mentioned was the clock drawing test.

As I mentioned yesterday we had a In Home Dementia Evaluation or Assessment for mom.

One thing I noticed about yesterday that I didn't mention was I saw my brother answering the questions posed to her by the Geriatric Care Manager.  It didn't happen all the time, but I did notice he jumped in when he knew she would struggle answering the questions.  I'm sure that is our 'human side' isn't it?

Something tells me we will both be in the habit of that soon.

The clock drawing test makes so much sense, but I have to admit it has to be rather humiliating to the dementia patient.

The clock is very universal, and so I can see WHY they use it.  It would seem to me people all over the world?  Their clocks are all going to look the same.

In our area we have to change the clocks back in the winter time, and move them forward in the summer.  I always remember it by 'spring ahead, fall behind' because it always lined up so well doesn't it?  I found that it doesn't make as much sense to the dementia patient.

I had come to visit my mother to discuss her medication delivery service that I had found for her.  I played that service up to her stating it will be nice especially in the extreme cold or hot weather.  She will not have to leave the house, and never have to worry about refills again.  I was glad that she actually appreciated it, and we have found it does very well for her.

Traditional Clock

The weekend that was coming up was clock changing season.  Since it was fall we need to move the clock back an hour.  My mother handed me the traditional clock she had on the wall, and was asking me questions on how to move it back an hour.  It seemed pretty plain to me that she had lost the capability to do this.

I volunteered to move all her clocks back for her that were in house while I was there.  You could tell by her sigh of relief, and by how thankful she was when I did this for her.  I found that she only had two clocks in the house.

The next day I received a phone call from my mother telling me all her clocks were wrong.  How she had spoken to someone, but I never did get a clear answer as to whom - that stated her clocks were wrong.  She asked if she could come over, and show me the problem.