My Mother's Journey With Dementia

I had been doing some searching on youtube for Dementia and Alzheimer videos.

I watched this one, and I have to say it bothered me.  I guess because it seemed like the man's approach to the relative would leave him confused.  The rapid fire of questions to me wouldn't give him any time to process, or even acknowledge the questions.

I know my grandparents would have flipped out if I approached them like this.




It seems like the wrong approach for a dementia patient, and seems to go against the communication techniques they speak about for dementia patients.

Persons with dementia may attempt to describe an object that they cannot name or create a word to describe the object.  I have noticed with my mother it doesn't even have to be an object.  I found another article I felt was helpful in the area of communicating with a dementia patient.

Any Comments?

Legal Paperwork with the Dementia Patient

One of the earliest things we learned when dealing with my grandparents and their Alzheimer disease was to get the legal paperwork done as soon as possible.

I remember one grandparent in particular who was a handful when it came to the cooperation part of that aspect.

I have to say now that we are dealing with the dementia with my mother she has been very cooperative.  Can I say so far anyway?

Dementia and its progression can often be unpredictable, and we couldn't fall for my mother's excuse "Later!"

Pre-planning can avoid costly legal pitfalls when not prepared.  You will save the caregiver and the family trauma and grief later.

Talk to the person soon after a diagnosis of dementia while she is still able to think clearly and make decisions about how legal, financial and medical arrangements will be handled in the future.  To me this also has an aspect of self respect, because they are competent enough to help with their wishes. (Most of the time at the Beginning anyway)

You don't want to wait to long, and I realize some people claim they have time like my mother likes to say.  I remember reminding my mother of a car accident I had, and brought to her attention I couldn't 'plan' for it beforehand.  She could be in a car wreck, or her dementia progresses, thyroid issues or a host of other things could happen prior to our planning ahead.

Christmas Nutcracker

I went out to lunch with a girlfriend of mine this week.  I was updating her as to what was happening with my mother, and her journey with Dementia.  She mentioned going out shopping, and since it seemed my mother had issues with shopping last year.  We decided maybe we will invite her along to help her this year.

I told my friend about our medicine delivery service that we had setup for her, and it seemed to be working well.  I mentioned that my brother and I were pushing for some home care for her, and had an interview in which my mother refused the service.  We have plans!  I will write about that experience later I promise!

I did get a call this week from her doctor stating that her thyroid levels again are NOT what they need to be.  I'm sure they felt it was her NOT taking the medicine, but since I know she is?  I asked them to look into maybe the medication at this point isn't doing what it needs to do.  I'm planning on calling the Pharmacy on Monday just to be sure they also are NOT getting FULL containers back.  I have seen her take the medicine, but with dementia?  You need to double check everything.

I was speaking to my mother about Christmas this year.  I told her to make a list of her wants or needs.  She - as she has for years now - told me she didn't have any.  She has said that even prior to her diagnoses of dementia.  This is a norm for her.  I think when I go over this week I will bring sales flyers, and she what she comments on!  That has always been my trick!

Communication Technique

I was doing some quick reading about communication with a dementia patient.

I remember when my grandmother had Alzheimer, and I would go and visit her at the special home she lived in.  This one day I walked in, and right away I introduced myself.

"Hello Endy!  It's Hannah your granddaughter.  I thought I would stop by for a visit!"

She was thrilled, and I know she knew me for a moment.  I made sure I introduced myself, because I didn't want her to think she was speaking to some stranger.  I also didn't want to scare her.  I know you have to keep in mind their memory condition, and if a strange person came up for a hug I would be alarmed myself.  I tried to keep that mind each time I went to visit.

I also learned with time you needed to continue to introduce yourself.  I would always included 'granddaughter' for the extra family connection, and not just name.