I remember when my first family member was diagnosed with Alzheimer, and some of the definitions people used confused me. One of those definitions I wasn't perfectly clear about was Mild Cognitive Impairment. I remember hearing that, and saying 'what is mild cognitive impairment'?
Cognitive pertains to our mental processes of perception, memory, judgment, and of course reasoning. Its our way of processing thought and information.
As we get older most have some cognitive decline, because that is part of the aging process. It may take us a little longer to remember a word, or remember someone's name. We notice forgetfulness may gradually increase. In most cases these changes aren't bad enough to interfere with our normal activities.
On the other hand, mild cognitive impairment is more than just 'forgetfulness'.
Some of the Symptoms of Mild Cognitive Impairment:
You tend to lose your train of thought during conversations with people. You lose the ability to truly keep with the theme of the conversations. For example, you and your friends are talking about the senior bus trip you just got back from. You can't seem to keep up and understand the conversation.
My brother called this morning, and mother canceled the driver's test. He said that she genuinely doesn't feel good. I'm sure part of it is nerves over the test, but she was vomiting all last night. It sounds like they have rescheduled things for tomorrow.
He was mentioning that he feels he needs to go over, and take away her keys to the car. I mentioned to him that I have purposely been placing myself in the position when visiting with her to have her drive when we had to go places. I have done this a couple of times recently, and she never scared me so far.
I think that relieved him a bit, but at times he can be rather laid back. You never really know, but I think he was okay. I can sure understand his position, and maybe I'm wrong as well. I'm thankful we can talk without getting nasty. I don't believe either of us are like that, but when emotions are on high alert? You just never know what can happen I suppose. I think we even each other out pretty well. I admire him very much.
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.
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.
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.
My mother was diagnosed with Dementia in 2010. I wanted to write about my experiences as our family deals with this awful disease. We have had three relatives prior to mother with Alzheimer disease, and have to admit I'm not looking forward to doing this again. This time so much closer to home.
