Minor Wrecks Move To Safe Location

Recently I saw a sign on the interstate that said, “Minor wrecks move to safe location”.  I’m not sure why, but it made me giggle.  There are days I feel like a minor wreck, and it might be good if I were moved to a safe location.  Friday was one of those days.  I was exhausted.  I needed some time on the sofa resting and relaxing.  That was my “safe location”.

As our loved ones age, they need safe locations, also.  I take great comfort in knowing my Momma lives in an assisted living facility.  She is among people much like herself, she enjoys being cared for, and she has no concerns for her daily care.  Many people look at assisted living care as the “last resort”.  I recommend you look at it as a wonderful addition to your loved ones life.  This becomes more evident when the decision to move is made earlier in life.  Momma decided to make the move shortly after her diagnosis.  This decision has allowed her to adjust to her new home, make friends, and fully feel like she is “home”.

I hope you are not feeling like a “minor wreck”, but always seek a safe location in order to get the care you need.  It’s just Something To Ponder.

Alabama Meets New York City

Music Therapy is my favorite!  Senior Life Journeys offers three services.  I enjoy one-on-one life coaching with families traveling the journey of dementia.  I am thrilled to have the opportunity to speak to groups.  (I don’t mind being the center of attention, and I am even brave enough to admit it!)  Lastly, I offer Music Therapy in senior centers, adult day cares, adult residential homes, Memory Care facilities, assisted livings, or anywhere there are seniors or individuals with health and cognitive issues.  It is an absolute thrill to observe the change in expression when these wonderful people SING!

 (This picture shows my momma holding John Boy, and Shirley (a fabulous soprano in my choir) holding Marilyn.  Momma was laughing so hard, she just about cried!)

My pianist, Becky, decided we needed to add puppets to our therapy.  At first I wasn’t too excited.  Then I met John Boy and Marilyn.  I would love to tell you about them.

John Boy is a good old country boy from Alabama.  He grew up on a farm, knows the value of a dollar, understands hard work, and just happens to be madly, deeply, and truly in love with Marilyn.

Marilyn is from New York City.  She loves The Big Apple, has never worn a pair of cowboy boots in her life, would not be caught dead with dirt under her well-manicured nails, and just happens to think John Boy is one more “hunky” man.  (Hunky is Marilyn’s word – not mine!)

John Boy and Marilyn tag along with Becky and me as we do Music Therapy.  They sometimes get into discussions about Marilyn’s problem constantly losing her glasses, or John Boy’s workaholic tendencies, but they always end with a love song.

John Boy and Marilyn bring smiles, music, laughter and dancing.  They are teaching me to smile, sing, laugh, and dance every day of my life.  Now that's a good plan.  Hope that gives you Something To Ponder.

Alabama Meets New York City

Music Therapy is my favorite!  Senior Life Journeys offers three services.  I enjoy one-on-one life coaching with families traveling the journey of dementia.  I am thrilled to have the opportunity to speak to groups.  (I don’t mind being the center of attention, and I am even brave enough to admit it!)  Lastly, I offer Music Therapy in senior centers, adult day cares, adult residential homes, Memory Care facilities, assisted livings, or anywhere there are seniors or individuals with health and cognitive issues.  It is an absolute thrill to observe the change in expression when these wonderful people SING!

 (This picture shows my momma holding John Boy, and Shirley (a fabulous soprano in my choir) holding Marilyn.  Momma was laughing so hard, she just about cried!)

My pianist, Becky, decided we needed to add puppets to our therapy.  At first I wasn’t too excited.  Then I met John Boy and Marilyn.  I would love to tell you about them.

John Boy is a good old country boy from Alabama.  He grew up on a farm, knows the value of a dollar, understands hard work, and just happens to be madly, deeply, and truly in love with Marilyn.

Marilyn is from New York City.  She loves The Big Apple, has never worn a pair of cowboy boots in her life, would not be caught dead with dirt under her well-manicured nails, and just happens to think John Boy is one more “hunky” man.  (Hunky is Marilyn’s word – not mine!)

John Boy and Marilyn tag along with Becky and me as we do Music Therapy.  They sometimes get into discussions about Marilyn’s problem constantly losing her glasses, or John Boy’s workaholic tendencies, but they always end with a love song.

John Boy and Marilyn bring smiles, music, laughter and dancing.  They are teaching me to smile, sing, laugh, and dance every day of my life.  Now that's a good plan.  Hope that gives you Something To Ponder.

Momma, A Salad, and Frozen Yogurt

If you have read my blogs in the past, you know I am in serious love with my Momma.  She is the best thing since sliced bread, cameras on a phone, DVRs, and, well, anything else you might imagine.

Recently, I have been concerned that Momma is not eating enough vegetables.  So, I have started taking her out for salad once a week.  We have a McAllister’s Deli in our town, and Momma can make a Savannah Chopped Salad disappear.  Now the point of this blog is not to promote McAllister’s Deli, but that Savannah Chopped Salad is one more happy experience.

What makes me happier, by far, is watching Momma enjoy eating.  After we finish the salad, we wander next door and fill a cup with several flavors of frozen yogurt at Orange Leaf Yogurt.  Now Momma has a sense of humor that is quick.  She will ask me to get her samples starting on the left hand side of the store.  By the time we get to the right hand side of the store, she will have forgotten having tasted the yogurt from the left hand side.  “Pookie (yes, that’s my nickname), did I taste those flavors over there?”  “Yes, Momma.”  “Well, I don’t remember.  Let’s do it again,” she will reply.  “Momma, you can’t milk this Alzheimer’s thing.  You are going to have to actually BUY some of this yogurt, or they will throw us out,” I tell her.  Momma laughs and proceeds to fill a cup with most any flavor they have.  Momma’s cup is full, and my cup, unfortunately, only has a small portion.  We top that yogurt with one – count ‘em ONE – M&M each.  Invariably, Momma will say, “There is no way I will eat all this yogurt,” and, invariably, Momma will somehow  work her way through every last bite of this delicious end of her meal.  We sit together in the car and splurge on this treat, laugh at the fact we are eating with spoons shaped like shovels (something about that just doesn’t seems right), and we just have a great time together.

Yes, I love my Momma – Alzheimer’s and all.  I’m gonna love on her every chance I get.  I hope this gives you Something To Ponder.

Finding The Good In Everything

Life can be a challenge.  That is a fact.  Finding the good in every moment should not be a challenge.  It should be second nature.  Unfortunately, us humans are not always so good at this concept of seeking out the good while ignoring the not so good.  Placing emphasis on the positive and eliminating the negative can be quite a chore.

While coaching folks traveling the journey of dementia, I try to help them clearly see what they have going for them.   Dementia is no walk in the park.  Let’s look, though, at some of the good things in life.  For example –

1. Do you have friends and family who understand what is going on in your life?  If so, be thankful.

2. When you last met with your diagnosed loved one, could you bring a smile to their face?  If so, be thankful.

3. Is your loved one able to feed his/herself?  If so, be thankful.

4. Is your loved one able to toilet his/herself without assistance?  If so, be thankful.

5. Does your loved one recognize hunger and thirst and respond appropriately?  If so, be thankful.

6. Can you depend on your loved one to be “socially acceptable” in all situations?  If so, be thankful.

7. Are you able now to see there is so much in life for which to be thankful that you might have ignored previously?  If not, we need to talk.  Even if your loved one cannot successfully accomplish the items listed above, you still have much for which to be thankful.

The point to be made is simple.  Look for the good.  Whether we are looking for the good in this life situation called dementia or looking for the good in our personal, professional, family, church or neighborhood life, it is important we seek that way of living.  If you are looking for the good, you will see the good.  Wonder if the opposite is true?  Hope that gives you “Something To Ponder”.