For Dementia Awareness Week
This week (from 17th – 23 May) in the UK it is Dementia Awareness Week.
Some of you will know that I worked for Alzheimer’s society until I retired a couple of years ago.
I would like to acknowledge the work of the society and to contribute to Dementia Awareness Week by posting ‘something different for me’: a short sketch each day called
“All in a days work”
These are not remembered stories but real events I wrote up a long time ago right after the visit/phone call.
As support workers we had excellent support in the office but on the rare occasion I couldn’t get there after I finished a visit or I was alone in the office I used to write down my thoughts and feelings and let the paper listen.
Professional man seeks time alone.
“I want to care for her until the end” he said with tears in his eyes.
“Of course, that’s just what I will be able to help you do.
We don’t put people in care unless it is absolutely necessary these days,
how long have you been married?” I ask gently
“55 years” he said. Smiling now, “She was my first and only love”.
I talk to him a little about living with someone with a memory loss, about strategies that help.
“Sometimes I get so very cross with her, I know it is not her fault but I can’t help it.” He told me.
“One of the best strategies for coping is to walk away. Go into another room for a few minutes, try to calm down and return to the room, maybe with a smile on your face? She may of course have forgotten the incident by then.” I told him very gently.
“We have a very nice extension at he back of the house. I put her in there for a while and come in here and watch the sport on TV”
There is much work to be done here.
Much work, Indeed.
Thank you for your prayers, darling Miriam.
These posts certainly point out so many of the challenges of being a care giver.
Oh bless him! So hard to live with from day to day.
This is a beautiful image, Miriam, and a truly wonderful post. xo.
I can imagine my grandfather saying that