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Does anyone have tips for communicating with someone with dementia?
Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: Apr 9 8:57pm | Replies (24)Comment receiving replies
Since I posted about this, I read an article that suggested writing notes or at least trying it to see if it works. I will try it one day just to see.
What was the cause of your cousin's dementia? I'm making a guess here, but I think that there are likely differences depending on the cause, as well as commonalities regardless of the cause. My husband's is due to his having had seven TIAs and one bigger stroke (according to the MRI because all we were aware of was one TIA). I would guess that two people with dementia due to strokes could have some differences in their symptoms depending on which area of the brain was affected.
I did buy one of those calendar/clock combos that tell the day of the week, date, time, and whether it's morning, afternoon, evening, or night. He was always straining to read his last-century watch that he got when he retired and he never knew what month, day, or year it was. Now he can read it and often does out loud. I don't know if he remembers that information when he leaves the room, but at least he can see it when he wants to. He really likes it. So do I, for that matter, just because it's a very useful item, period.
Replies to "Since I posted about this, I read an article that suggested writing notes or at least..."
It sounds like you love him very much. My spouse has Parkinsons and everyday is a challenge. Hugs and prayers
Yes, I’d try various ways to see which ones might work. Everyone is different in their capacity. My cousin was initially diagnosed with Vascular Dementia (diagnosed by PC and Neurologist) at age 63. She lived with it severely affected for 6 years. About 4 years after diagnosis, her psychiatrist thought she might also have Alzheimer’s, but I’m not sure why.
My dad has Alz and his illness has been very slow with some abilities that fluctuate. My cousin never seemed to have moments of clarity after a certain point. They both have had peculiar fixations.
Same! My husband has vascular dementia and I bought that clock thinking it wouldn't really be useful, but I was getting so weary having him always misreading his analog wrist watch. He loves it and it I've come to love it too! Two days ago, in the afternoon, the clock said 'afternoon' and he asked me when it would change. I guessed that at 6pm it would change to evening and went about my business. At 6pm he announced it had in fact changed to evening. This was a happy announcement to me: you can never know what's going on in that brain!
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My husband, too, lost the ability to understand the signs I taped up- “Turn off faucets”, “Shut fridge door”. So I went to a plumbing supply, they helped me with a faucet that turns itself off after 2 minutes. I’d glance at the fridge door every time I went by. I researched door alarms so I’d know if he left the house.
It’s ongoing and you just have to do your best to solve the problems that crop up. You also have to “let go” what really doesn’t matter. My hubby decided he wanted to sleep with his shoes and socks on. His PCP and diabetes MD said that was okay, took me awhile to get used to the idea, but really, so what….., that’s what he wanted to do.