Let's Talk Dementia

You might think you always offer unconditional love to the people in your world, but I beg to differ.  We all need help in that department.  We must, however, strive to offer that kind of AGAPE love to our loved ones with dementia.  It is DIFFICULT!  But it is NECESSARY!

 

We are a society of complainers.  Complaining goes back as far as time.  Maybe we should think about how effective complaining is in our day-to-day life.   Just my thoughts!

I have learned Momma's recent "episode" where she almost died might have been due to "hypoxia".  Hypoxia is lack of oxygen.  Considering Momma is living with late-stage Alzheimer's, this makes sense.  The brain needs oxygen!!  When it does not receive the oxygen, bad things happen.  Listen in and hear my thoughts.

 

We are a society of complainers.  Complaining goes back as far as time.  Maybe we should think about how effective complaining is in our day-to-day life.   Just my thoughts!

I have learned Momma's recent "episode" where she almost died might have been due to "hypoxia".  Hypoxia is lack of oxygen.  Considering Momma is living with late-stage Alzheimer's, this makes sense.  The brain needs oxygen!!  When it does not receive the oxygen, bad things happen.  Listen in and hear my thoughts.

(YES, I know she is GORGEOUS!!)

Friday at 5PM the phone call came that changed my life.  That phone call changed my dementia caregiving experience.  That phone call tore my heart into pieces.  That phone made me call on The Lord in a mighty way.  But God showed great mercy, and the end is so much better than the beginning.  This picture shows Momma two days later, Sunday morning, waiting to go to church service.  Absolutely incredible!!  Let me know about your caregiving roller coaster ride!  We will share stories.  Write me at [email protected].

(YES, I know she is GORGEOUS!!)

Friday at 5PM the phone call came that changed my life.  That phone call changed my dementia caregiving experience.  That phone call tore my heart into pieces.  That phone made me call on The Lord in a mighty way.  But God showed great mercy, and the end is so much better than the beginning.  This picture shows Momma two days later, Sunday morning, waiting to go to church service.  Absolutely incredible!!  Let me know about your caregiving roller coaster ride!  We will share stories.  Write me at [email protected].

Does Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder result in dementia?  YES!  My brother-in-law, Ernie, has PTSD from his service to our country.  Life is difficult and sad for him.  He finds very little pleasure in anything.  His dementia is different from that of my mother who has Alzheimer's type dementia, but it is still "dementia".

What is GRACE?  A recent sermon stated, "Grace equals loving kindness".  That immediately made me think of the hundreds of thousands of caregivers who are offering loving kindness to those they care for each day.  It is a way of showing God's grace!  I hope you recognize how important you are to your people, and you also recognize that God is please with the way you care for HIS children.

Caregivers provide over 37 BILLION hours of unpaid care year. Congress has recently passed the RAISE (Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage) Family Caregivers Act. At "Let's Talk Dementia" we are excited for anything that makes the caregiving journey easier. Our hats are off to all our caregivers!