Out of everything I read this week, The video and section on Dementia interested me the most. I remember my first experience with this disease. I lived in Bellingham and was about 13 years old. I was always outside doing gardening, mowing the lawn etc. there was a sweet older lady who lived across the way who also spent a lot of time outdoors. I went over one day to talk to her because she had such a beautiful yard full of flowers. When i approached she looked startled and then said hi and called me by another name. I said no I am Holly I live across the way. After a bit she and I talked and worked in her flower bed together. I left then several days later went back and she had no clue of who I was looked scared again. I did the whole re introduction and sat and talked to her again. At that age I was like is this lady "crazy"?. I had no idea what dementia was and how it effected people. When i left that day I went home and told my mom what had happened and she explained it to me. I continued to go visit her and knew it would always be a day I would have to re introduce myself. Finally we moved away and I never saw her. Looking back and knowing what I know now, I am grateful I have never been close to anyone who has went through the stage's of this disease. Watching the video I was so saddened for those people. What A disease to have to live through with a loved one. I have no clue of what is out there as far as support groups. However If I had the funds to do so I would look into what else could be done to be a support to these people and their families.
I too was really touched by the video. Dementia and alzheimers are just paralyzing diseases. You did a great thing going to visit that woman. Treating our aging population with dignity and respect, wether they can remeber it or not is so important. I think about how I would want to be treated if I was effected by the disease.
ReplyDeleteI was grateful reading your blog this week that you got to experience that. I think it's great you went to help and give her some company. Especially after learning about the disease. I worked with dementia and Alzheimer residents for a couple of years. It was very rewarding but also physically and mentally draining at times. People often asked me how I did it, but I love people in general, especially the elderly. I loved their humor, stories, company and most of the time there patience for letting us take care of them. I always felt bad for the families going through this time with their loved ones especially during the first stages, or if anger was coming out in their disease.
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