Random Thoughts on time spent with an Alzheimer Patient
- Yesterday I sat with a friend's mom that has Alzeheimer's Disease.
- Louise is 82, from Germany and has been a hard worker all her life.
- Louise has no short term memory but her long term memory is quite good.
- Louise has about 4 stories that she constantly repeats.
- I resolved that no matter how many times I heard the same story I would respond enthusiastically as if it was the first time I had ever heard it.
- Louise thinks I'm brilliant because I answered 5 questions in a row on Jeopardy.
- Too bad Louise won't remember that I'm brilliant 10 minutes from now.
- The narrow window of memory opened for a short time yesterday and I was rewarded with some "new stories" I'd never heard before.
- I found out that Louise used to be a bowler. When I kiddingly told her I bowl in the gutters because of an uncontrollable "Hook". She patiently explained to me how to hold my hand to correct it.
- When she told me she was 82 I told her I thought she looked more like 28. She flashed a big smile at me, pointed her finger at my face and said, "You just reversed the numbers didn't you.?"
- I told Louise that I heard she had fallen the day before. She responded, "Did I?" I thought, how nice not to remember the bad moments in life. Louise truly lives in the moment with no regrets.
- Louise caught herself repeating a story yesterday. When I responded positively, she rewarded me again with a beautiful smile and said, "I caught you, I already told you that story."
- Being nice to someone's mother cost me only my time and attention. I just hope that one day when I'm old and repeating my stories someone will take the time to sit down with me and make me feel important. I also wonder what will be the stories of my life that will bear repeating?
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37 comments:
You, my dear, are a sweetheart, in a more ways than one! It's just one of the reasons why I love ya!
That's so sweet!
Our Homeschooling group visited a nursing home on halloween in their costumes. The residents seemed happy to see us this time and two tried to sneak out of the locked down ward. hee hee Can't blame them though.
That's a great 13! My Mom had that disease and you never know what they be like each day. Some times she remembered and sometimes she didn't. But they know something from a long time ago.
I'm up too.
Moving post! I think it's ashame we tend to put these people away in our society. I think they have a lot more to offer than we give them credit for.
I just did my first T13
http://bluestarchronicles.com/2006/11/08/thursday-thirteen-1/
I can think of a few stories that may pop into your mind..."you know once, I knew these two ladies who one of them wanted to climb into a walmart grocery cart"...that could be just one!! smile!! I am sure that is going to stay in there with several others. What a sweet thing for you to do to sit with her. My TT is up too. You will like it also. Love and miss you..Sandy
Daisy, I love you for doing this. My mom has Alzheimer's and lives next door to me. It is SO heartbreaking to lose her a little bit every day. She doesn't get upset about not remembering....she just laughs about it. You reminded me to cherish the moments we have.
My 13 are up my friend.
I bet I know ONE of them!!! LOL!
My mother-in-law is Louise also... and I know allllll about those 4 stories. Unfortunately MIL has not lead an easy or joy filled life and is very bitter. Her stories are NOT fun to hear -- how I wish that they were! But, yes... I hope one day my children will laugh WITH me, as I really lose my mind! (actually, I hope that through the grace of God, and with enough exercise and trivia and mind games that perhaps I will be fortunate enough to KEEP my mind until I'm 97!)
This was another GREAT 13, darlin' Daisy! You are such a "positive" person!
You have such a huge heart, Lazy Daisy. I hope you never ever need that type of company, like your friend's mom. I am sure you will not be repeating your blogging stories,you have way too many!!
There will always be someone around for you Daisy! You are just sooooooooo irresistible! Great post.
Odd that you did your post on memory. I took a walk down Memory Lane today.
I wonder if it's frustrating for her? Or maybe a freedom? It reminds me of the movie "100 First Dates."
Mine are x rated!
You are not a lazy Daisy, you are a listening Daisy and that's wonderful. Hopefully you will only keep very funny stories in your mind lol !
I always think that my screen has something strange when I open your blog, that's the falling leaves !
I LOVE your list! It's great that you spend time with her. She sounds like such a sweet lady!
Happy TT!
awwww.. now I have goosebumps!! You are such a wonderful person!
Wonderful post. :) You are a kind and caring person to spend your time with her, and listen patiently to her stories.
Thanks for stopping by and have a good day. :)
you are a saint. I wouldn't have the patience to do that, which doesn't speak very highly of me, does it? :)
My great aunt suffers from alzheimers, and it's just tragic.
What a nice thing to do.
And how wonderful that you're able to see the positives in the situation.
Beautiful post.
God bless Louise!
what a beautiful list.
thanks for visiting my tt and the birthday wishes.
my gramma has alzheimers. she can't tell you what she had for lunch that day, but she can tell you exactly what happened on the young and the restless 20 years ago! it's amazing, really!
such a sad disease. I would much rather be in a wheelchair or something than have my mind go.
You're right, this is a tragic disease...How wonderful that you helped this lovely lady have a dignified day!!! Thanks for the reminder that a person is a person no matter what....
My TT is up, too!! Have a great day.
:-) Susan
a tragic disease...
how wonderful that you took the time to sit with her!
Blessings,
Karla
she sounds like quite a character. LOL. I used to work in a retirement home. When I left, I was saddened but I knew that I wouldn't be able to do that again. I became too attached and too distraught everytime something bad happened to one of the guests. I remember thinking that if I spent much time there my heart would break into a million little peices. I just love the older generation too much.
Hi Daisy AGAIN. I'm trying to comment this way and see if it works.
If you get this, check out my post on blogger.
Last year when my dad had his accident, he suffered fromk demenia while in the ICU, which gave me an understanding for those who have Alzheimers, so I so appreciate #5.
Thank you for something so inspirational!
http://natsthename.blogspot.com/2006/11/thursday-thirteen.html
So how did #5 go?
What a wonderful thing to do.
And a very nice blog too, how do you get those leaves moving like that?
That was so beautiful. Thank so much for sharing. I loved this TT.
It's good to be back after so long (my laziness bug has been squashed and hopefully I'm back for a while :)
We all forget some things--they have just forgotten more. Retelling her stories gives her a lot of pleasure and may be helping keep her verbal skills. How kind of you to assist her. Sort of like watching a movie you've seen several times.
My TT is up.
I love, love, love this post!
Happy TT!
Mine's up!!
I think that was a wonderful post. Thank you for sharing! (-:
Wonderful written as usual :-)
I know how that is. My Mom don't have alzheimers, but she have had several blood clots making her forgetting. I act like she never had said it, no matter how many times she says it - for her it is the first time.
And I bet I get there myself early, since I keep forgetting things already! *lol*
Ah, come on over and have some Friday fun bun instead ;-)
When you start repeating blog posts I'll still read them and leave comments.
My grandmother had Alzheimer's and hallucinations, some frightening and others glorious. Once in church she nudged me and whispered, "Roxanne, look over there. Isn't that the most beautiful white dove you have ever seen?"
Yes indeed, sometime they were glorious.
you are indeed a dear to take time out to spend precious moments with these patients. it is such a sad situation and not many people would have the patience. wonderful list! my tt's up! ;)
That was a very poignant list. It's one of the best TTs I've read since I started following them a few weeks ago. Thanks for sharing that. My dad worries about Alzheimer's. Having ADHD makes him forgetful and now that he's in his late 60's he is starting to get paranoid about developing this disease.
My Thursday Thirteen
~Douglas
-=-
The Splintered Mind - Overcoming Neurological Disabilities With Lots Of Humor And Attitude
That's so sweet! You nearly made me cry with this 13.
My husband's grandma had Alzheimer's, it's so hard to watch...
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