HOW AN ALZHEIMERS AND DEMENTIA PATIENT FEELS

The following poem is author unknown, but I thought that it so perfectly explains how dementia and alzheimer sufferers feel.
Even people like myself who are containing their dementia by following the routines of  'EXERCISE OF BODY, MIND AND SOUL',  need encouragement sometimes.Memory loss is not the only thing. Although it is possible to arrest dementia, it seems to be impossible to reverse it, so the damage already done to the brain remains and so we still forget things and have some difficulties with tasks.
Please be patient with us and God bless all carers for their love.


                                        DO NOT ASK ME TO REMEMBER



                                        DO NOT ASK ME TO REMEMBER;

                                         DON'T TRY TO MAKE ME UNDERSTAND;

                                         LET  ME REST AND KNOW YOU'RE WITH ME;

                                         KISS MY CHEEK AND HOLD MY HAND;

                                          I'M CONFUSED BEYOND YOUR CONCEPT;

                                          I AM SAD AND SICK AND LOST;

                                          ALL I KNOW IS THAT I NEED YOU;

                                           TO BE WITH ME AT ALL COST;

                                            DO NOT LOSE YOUR PATIENCE WITH ME;

                                            DO NOT SCOLD OR CURSE OR CRY;

                                            I CAN'T HELP THE WAY I'M ACTING;

                                            CAN'T BE DIFFERENT THOUGH I TRY;

                                             JUST REMEMBER THAT I NEED YOU;

                                              THAT THE BEST OF ME IS GONE;

                                              PLEASE DON'T FAIL TO STAND BESIDE ME;

                                              LOVE ME TILL MY LIFE IS DONE.


The early stages of dementia and alzheimers are not too difficult to understand. They call for patience and kindness. At least the patient can still communicate and conversations and memory sharing can take place.
The latter stages of alzheimers are much more difficult, not only because the patient is much more confused and even sometimes abusive, but also because the sufferer seems to have gone and just a living shell remains. However, we now know that that is often not the case and the patient inside can often be reached by suitable music, touching and patient love.
In a way the latter stages are perhaps the most important for the carer to understand. Certainly for the patient they must be the most painful and love must reach them and they not be abandoned.

My own dementia remains under control, with no further deterioration. However, the damage already done before I found the solution to stop any further deterioration does cause odd problems. Apart from Sunday when I forgot to collect my wife from her church, yesterday when she was shopping in Checkers I went to talk to a friend and forgot the time. However, as always my Julian was patient and forgiving, it was me who felt bad!
The weather here in Paarl is a little cooler, but it's a lovely sunny day. I had a problem with rats getting into the roof of my 'shed' but the problem seems to be solved. I read on the net that moth balls repel rats and spiders and I have to say the smell is a bit odd, but I have heard no sounds of creatures slithering between the ceiling plaster and the roof since I sprinkled the balls liberaly. I do hope that it has worked. Spiders are much more dangerous, but it,s rats that I'm terrified of!
Keep taking the tablets.
David Barnato.
Paarl, South Africa