Positive Coping Strategies

Hello Colleen, my husband has dementia diagnosed first with MCI and diagnosed with markers for Alzheimer's at Mayo in Jacksonville. I have to say he is still functioning somewhat normal, doing many improvements in our home, taking care of outside plants, etc. and driving. He was tested for driving at Brooks Rehab in Jacksonville and passed all the written and driving tests. He is being tested again through the VA in March. I his personality has changed. There as days when this is difficult for me. The VA now has programs for Caregivers and I have interviewed with them and I will partake in their programs as well. We left our home in Florida in April and moved to Charleston where he is followed by the VA. Two adult children live here and five grandchildren which is helpful. I still follow the Dementia Groups at Mayo each week. I have learned each day is different. My issue is anger and feeling alone having left friends in Florida and a social life. However, I try to focus on better days like today when I buy new flowers and my daughter and family are coming later today to watch the Super Bowl and eat our way through it! Thank you for reaching out.

Thanks for saying "helpful". Just curious ( as well as to learn ) as to how is the simple writing like my writing can be helpful? Please elaborate more for my benefit? In which ways that help or assist you plan? your action? your intention? your ??? Salama po ( THANK YOU ).

Yes, it is easy as well as touching tough to deal with MDI person. I am 90 now to care for my Dear wife as we still living under same and one roof for the last 46 years with two matured and married kids with their own life within 2 hours drive! My wife mostly easy to live with yet can be tough to deal with in her MDI times ( 20 or 45 minutes? 3 or 6 times daily without provocations ) . Still talk a lots to be friendly as much but i try to smile it away without confrontation right away! Just be Easy to each other by dealing with her as a person with feeling ( not easy ) -- - Try to smile it away ASAP and be kind and don't get in or rob into the fight! Easy saying than doing it but practice makes perfect!!! Very tough since you are human and faceing each other daily too.
Expect a fine day as well as the dad day on other occasion and do not raise your voice! Try to smile it away quickly rather than to be right at all time - - - remember sometimes SILENT IS GOLD; Just give a smile and walk around her or simply rub her back as if nothing to be care of! You care of each other and just go with kind smile for the next interactive moment. No need to be correct at all time! Just to share after reading so much from your column for months. Thanks again from a 90 yrs Smily!!!

Hi and Hello. May I know what do you "LIKE" ? and How it affeft your LIKE?
Than, how I can further advance or improve? Thanks.