DEMENTIA AND PLAYING

If you are like me, you don’t have enough hours in the day to accomplish the many tasks that are required.  Having time to play would be an oddity of sorts.  While driving home this week, I noticed this lady and her young son jumping in and out of a puddle of water that accumulated after a morning rain.  They were having so much fun, and I just had to stop and talk with her.

I am impressed how this young mother did two very important things.   

1.    She took time to play with her son.  I am sure she had more pressing matters that could have grabbed her attention, but playing with her handsome little boy became her priority.

2.   She didn’t spend a dime, but she brought so much happiness to her son’s days and her day, also.

What can we learn from this in regards to dementia and playing?  Play with your loved one who has dementia.  Maybe they like to beat you at Rummy. (I think my sister is a little surprised how Momma can beat her almost every time they pull out the cards!)  Maybe they enjoy puzzles.  Maybe they like going for a walk.  Maybe it is rummaging through the treasures at a consignment shop or thrift store.  Whatever it is they enjoy, make some time this week to participate with them in the activity.

For Momma, my sister, and myself, we are planning a rip-roaring Sunday afternoon of Rummy and homemade vegan pizza.  Want to join us?

Hope that gives you SOMETHING TO PONDER.

Dementia and Nausea

Momma was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s type dementia in August of 2006.  She has experienced many side effects of Alzheimer’s during that time, and she has dealt with unrelated issues, also.

About 13 years ago, Momma had her gall bladder removed.  At that point, we were sure the gastrointestinal issues were resolved.  They were not.  For the last 5 years, Momma has had periodic episodes of pain in her tummy and spasms of her esophagus – at least that was what we thought she was experiencing.  

The month of May brought with it two trips to the emergency room, much pain, and the inability to keep food or liquids down for more than about 30 minutes.  Momma was in severe pain.  This week that all changed.

On Wednesday we discovered Momma had a gallstone.  This gallstone was left behind after her gallbladder was removed 13 years ago, and this gallstone had been causing her pain for the last 5 years.  It was lodged in her bile duct, and it needed immediate removal.  I was so thrilled to learn there was something so easily “fixed” that could help Momma.

The gallstone is history now, and Momma is keeping down solid food.  It is such a blessing to see her eat and enjoy food.  What does this have to do with dementia?  LOTS!  Momma had a difficult time describing her pain.  She could not remember to avoid the foods we knew were causing pain.  She would ask, repeatedly, “What is making me hurt so bad?”  She also feared there was something much worse going on and we were withholding information.   All this came together to make her tense and worried – the very thing that irritates the GI tract the most!

The best approach with Momma was to be calm, listen to her fears, and reassure, reassure, reassure.  Then I would throw some laughter her way.  These techniques, and lots of appropriate physical touch, brought about a sense of peace that helped Momma relax. 

Hope that gives you Something To Ponder.

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