DEMENTIA AND MOODS

My dementia has been present and stealthily advancing for ten years. Although the progression was reduced to a very, very slow pace by following good eating habits, mental and physical exercise, prayer and meditation, some changes are taking place. The memory situation is very curious in that whilst some short term memory has gone, some completely forgotten memories from fifty and sixty years ago have clearly floated to the surface.
However, it is mood change that has become the most recent factor in my dementia situation. It is not entirely unexpected and indeed many books about Alzheimer's predict that very serious mood change will come in the latter stages of Alzheimer's. Although it is not certain that the dementia is the symptom of Alzheimer's, the facts fit together rather too snugly in my particular case.
My mood changes are not yet very pronounced, but both myself and Julian my wife and caregiver have noticed them. The most noticeable is that my tolerance of the 'faults' of others has diminished. I get angry more easily and I am less tolerant. An example is that I have been against capital punishment for all of my life, yet now I have become a staunch supporter of death for those convicted of serious child assault, particularly vicious rape, murder and terrorism.
Whilst these ideas are of course a question of personal conscience, my point is that my views have changed and this coincides with a shorter temper fuse. It would therefore appear that the progression of dementia does not follow a precise sequence and one must be prepared for anything when dealing with dementia. For example depression occasionally creeps back and is marginally more difficult to deal with, although luckily I am still able to overcome this particular challenge.
In most ways however the illness is not causing me much of a problem if one writes things down and is lucky enough to have a great caregiver as I have. I am still able to write, read, play chess etc,
although the internet with its endless changes poses an increasing challenge.
The most important factor I believe is to make the effort to be happy. Happiness is not just a question of having things go your way, it is very much a state of mind and personally I believe that even on the worst of days there is something to be grateful for.
The weather here is rather cold and we have had much more rain than usual for the time of year. No lunch in the garden today!
The dogs are well and have a tendency to sleep as close to the fire in the evenings as is possible. Poor old Bobby the parrot is not happy at all with the weather, but we keep him as warm as possible.
David Barnato.
Paarl. South Africa
barnatod@blogspot.com