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In reply to the discussion: Psychologist shares beautiful advice for talking to people with dementia [View all]plimsoll
(1,690 posts)20. I don't think most people get the situation.
My mom was smart enough to protect herself financially before things went too far, but that had it's own consequences. I'd get asked by people from our home town why I didn't do anything, and what can you tell them "I can't do anything because she hasn't been declared incompetent." Once we where past that hurdle the abuse started, initially just verbal and eventually physical, fortunately it was only directed at me and she could afford a caretaker. You have my sympathy, but I'm well aware of the real world value of that.
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Psychologist shares beautiful advice for talking to people with dementia [View all]
NurseJackie
Oct 2021
OP
At first I tried to orient my dad to what day it was or what was going on in the world
blueinredohio
Oct 2021
#2
Please accept a virtual hug and support in your extremely difficult situation. Many here
niyad
Oct 2021
#12
It takes a lot of courage. And in the end, we never know what we're capable of doing...
NurseJackie
Oct 2021
#73
As an almost 20 year Hospice companion, I have found that if you focus on the past...
40RatRod
Oct 2021
#22
I remember one visit (she was already in skilled-care) my sister told me...
NurseJackie
Oct 2021
#27
Thank you for posting this extremely valuable information. I have been saying similar,
niyad
Oct 2021
#29
Good advice. My father spent his last few years in a nursing home, and towards the end he was
Dial H For Hero
Oct 2021
#30
I found it effective to never mention that something had been said before or repeated
bigtree
Oct 2021
#32
My mother suffered from dementia for her last 10 years. Although it was difficult to watch her...
George II
Oct 2021
#33
Not always the best advice. Depends on each patient. My mother-in-law for example
Doodley
Oct 2021
#34
And? Why are you assuming that I don't know that? I looked after my MIL for years and this was a
Doodley
Oct 2021
#49
Perfect! It's all about compassion... being fearless... finding silver linings...
NurseJackie
Oct 2021
#71
I had to make a conscious effort to NOT speak to my sister like she was a child.
NurseJackie
Oct 2021
#52
Covid has been challenging for us since the long-term care facility restricted visitors.
NurseJackie
Oct 2021
#63
Great advice, & most of all a beautiful, if heartbreaking, thread. Thanks, all who contributed.
Hekate
Oct 2021
#60
That's about all you can do--accept what they believe but try to reassure
Wingus Dingus
Oct 2021
#69
When she was still aware, I knew that my visits would be quickly forgotten...
NurseJackie
Oct 2021
#78