ALZHEIMERS IS NO JOKE

A man went for his annual check up by his very up market Doctor. "You look a bit under the weather". the Quack said."What's the problem." " Well it's my deteriorating memory that's bothering me Doctor. I forget where I park my car. I forget where I'm going and what I'm supposed to do when I get there. I can't remember if I've taken my medicines or not,what can I do?" "Pay me first." The Doctor replied. Of course memory loss, dementia and alzheimers are not a joke, but you have to treat the enemy with humour or you will go crazy with worry. Of course one must also do all the practical things; take whatever remedies you need, write everything down and remember to tick things when they're done. Of course the problem here is forgetting to remember! My observation of those of us suffering from the mental mist that's descending on us is that if you have a good partner or carer, treat them like gold. They will be your only hope when the mist becomes permanent as the dementia worsens. If it becomes alzheimers disease perhaps one wont know what's happening, but someone who still cares is someone to seek and treasure. If you havn't a family member who you can trust to see you through the dusk of dementia, then make arrangements for your finances to be handled professionally. Investigate the care options and plan ahead whilst you still can. Good friends are rare, but most of us have at least one. Talk to them. Don't procrastinate until it's too late and dementia or alzhemers has claimed you. My own situation seems the same to me week by week, but Julian notices the memory blank spots. There is no doubt the dementia is progressing slowly. Oddly I am not at all depressed. I will accept what is coming the best that I can. Of course I am blessed with a loving wife. That's a great comfort. The weather here in Paarl is still wet and we had heavy rainfall overnight.Today is overcast and cooler with more rain to come. Julian's dressmaking and dress hire business is quiet and so are most other businesses in the town. Post Christmas blues I guess. Boysie is missing his swimming as the pool isn't quite warm enough. The parrot still refuses to talk when I'm around, but I'm told that he chatters away when I'm not there. I have tried to bribe him by giving him a regular treat of an apple slice, but it just doesn't work. I've told him that we'll send him to an orphanage, but he ignores me. Keep taking the tablets. David Barnato. Paarl. South Africa.