Joy Golliver

2 months ago

My husband is now in very late stage dementia and is beginning end of life transition. I can tell, because sometimes he is looking "through me" or over my shoulder at something else. He is content there and might carry on a happy conversation. Other times he looks right at me and smiles and tries to answer my questions. He even tried to watch the tennis open as I carried on a happy conversation of what was happening. Believe when I tell you, they are still in there and reachable by your loving touch and words. Remember, hearing is the last thing to go.

luckybabygirl

2 months ago

My mother has Alzheimer's and is 86 years old, she thrives on social contact and her mood is much better when she visits relatives who live out of town. She loves when I visit and I tell her stories of when she and my aunts/uncles/grandma were young and when my family of origin were growing up. She loves to hear them, of course, these are stories that she or my other relatives have passed on to me, but she loves to hear them because she can't remember them herself. I tell her who I am, what day it is, and tell her the names of her family of origin, and then tell her the names of my brothers and sisters. I also make sure that she is dressed appropriately for the weather and make sure she has eaten, is drinking enough water, and take her blood pressure to reassure her that she's OK. She has had a TIA (mini-stroke) and a heart attack, so she worries alot when she doesn't feel well. I really love my mother and now it's like I am the mother and she is my baby. The article was spot on concerning the behavior and emotions of my mother. It was a great article. Thanks, Eva Carvajal

Informative and comforting.