Dementia Difficulties ... a son's example of coping with the delicate situation of confronting his father's obvious memory and functional declines ....
Pic: Public Domain
Daddy, why can't you remember to keep the door open for me when I come by?
Son, I forgot ... and the last time you came by, you left some things here that we didn't know what to do with.
Dad, I'm getting help for my needs
when will you?
I keep listening to Mom, who says I really don't have any problems and likes the way we live here ...
As you know, Dad, I love you always and thank you for always standing by my side
but there are times when I worry about your even standing too long before you fall.
I'll be alright
Im not giving up keeping my job
no matter what!
even from what some of supposed friends and staff tell me.
Well, please reconsider this so that you can get the help that you need and we all can be safe.
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My uncle told me about my grandmother. Shortly after her lively 85th birthday where she engaged in conversation with three conversations of the same time, she became overly religious. Something that was not like her to do. Eventually my uncle had to put her in a nursing hospital in their small town. The first time I visited her, she told me not to tell anyone as she jumped up on a chair with her replaced hip to reach for something on the top shelf of the closet. I can't recall what it was, but we had a nice conversation when she showed me what she got.
When I returned a couple years later, she was sitting in the chair staring into space with her cataract eyes. Seemingly unable to even recognize me. She never refused any food but no longer could recognize anyone. It was the first case of Alzheimer's I ever heard of.
Ron