DEMENTIA IS NOT GOODBYE

It is a shock to be told that your deteriorating memory is in fact dementia. Even more frightening is the discovery that dementia is in fact the symptom of something worse and there is an 80% chance that the underlying disease may be Azeimer's. However, the good news is that the early stages of dementia can go on for many years and you can  learn to live with the diffculties of some memory loss and some cognitive diability. My own dementia has been with me for over ten years, yet I am still in the early stages and I am still able to write and converse on many subjects. I do forget odd things and I just cannot deal with internet challenges, but that is old age as well as dementia!
The advance of my dementia is now negligible and I am tempted to say that the disease is static. However, my wife Julian says that there is still the odd deteriration, such as I now sometimes confuse the day of the week, but at present I am very optimistic that I will die of old age and not Alzheimer's.




My success in dealing with dementia can be followed by others. It is a combination of positive thinking, good diet, mental and physical exercise and in my case the good luck to have a wonderful partner.
There are  many important roles that a caregiver plays in looking after a dementia patient, from the reminding of  important things to do and learning as much about the challenges of dementia to advising on suitable clothes and grooming. However, there is one very important factor that is not often mentioned in books and articles about caring for dementia patients and that is listening. Everyone as their story and people with dementia usually retain their long term memory and are thus able to talk about their adventures, challenges and achievements. Because we dementia sufferers are aware of our disability in the early stages one feels sometimes almost ashamed of the deterioration that has taken place, so it is good to be able to talk about past positives. Dignity and pride are important to us all.
Ths week was particularly challenging for me as someone deliberately got into my computer and transferrred hundreds of viruses. There are some very sad, sick people out there, but there are lots of wonderful ones as well.
The week has ended well and although wet weather is forecast to come back tomorrow, today is anoter beautiful day after a very cold early morning start.
Last night we watched the Brazil versus Croatia game which we enjoyed very much, but I don't know how we will deal with all the late nights to come.
We are all well, apart from Bobby the parrot who doesn't like the cold weather and is sulking about it!
David Barnato.
Paarl. South Africa.