Welcome to my world.
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diagnosis is not the person
One day I understood DEEP in my heart that a diagnosis isn’t the person. I was blessed over the final years of my dear Dad’s life by realizing if we kept treating Dad as a whole person, others who interacted with him would too.
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daily rituals
One day I understood the ritual for a person with dementia may be more important than the actual object. For my dear Dad, it was the ritual of his glasses.
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traditions live deep in the soul
One day I understood that dementia patients may remember traditions deep in their soul.
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honoring personal history
One day I understood that honoring the personal history and daily habits of a person with dementia can bring pleasure to both of you.
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hallucinations
One day I understood that telling someone with dementia their hallucination was not true could cause more distress than comfort. Letting them control the path of the conversation could actually provide the kindness they are looking for.
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paying the bills
One day I understood that telling someone with dementia not to worry may not be helpful. Talking through the worry and providing facts to ease the concern could be the better approach.
Kelley Irwin 