Imagine for a moment, you had a special box where you stored all your most treasured possessions - a treasure chest filled with all your special memories. Just as precious as gold or jewels would be the simple things in your life that made you smile.
If I were to gather "treasures" to fill my box, I know I would choose a picture of my daughters when they were little - maybe one of them taken by the lake in their swimsuits - those days at the lake were always filled with smiles! I think I would put in a little teddy bear too! I love teddy bears - especially when they are dressed in sweaters or hats! I'd be sure to tuck in a wedding picture, the pearl earrings I bought in Spain, and the simple silver cross I brought home from my first mission trip to Honduras. I would also want Daddy's old black Bible. People always tell me I am a lot like my Daddy - I loved him so much! Oh, and a cookbook. My love for cookbooks and recipes I got from Mom. And I couldn't forget a picture of me and my sister in matching dresses. We weren't twins, but Grandma always liked to dress us that way.
What a gift a treasure box like this would be for someone with Alzheimer's. It wouldn't have to be anything fancy, a shoebox would do just fine. But, something you filled with memories of the days they can no longer remember - a special picture, a nameplate from an office they used to work at, a piece of jewelry, a tool from their workshop. It would certainly give you something to talk about together .... and something to help them remember when......
Working with Dementia patients everyday, I find myself wondering ..."will this be me someday?" I sometimes joke that I think Dementia is contagious when I have my own senior moments. But, since the numbers now show that 1 out of 8 Americans over 65 are diagnosed with Dementia - the truth is - it could easily be me someday.
My husband and I celebrated Valentine's Day last night by going to see the movie "The Vow". The basic storyline was based on a true story of a husband and wife that were involved in an accident that left the wife unable to remember her husband or any memories of the times that they had shared. Over the following emotional months, the husband decided to see it as an opportunity for them to fall in love all over again. So, he began taking her on dates - doing the things she used to liked to do. The end of the movie left us hopeful that she would eventually remember him, and they would live happily ever after. But, according to the true story, she never remembered being married to him, but she did fall in love with him all over again, and they now have a family and two beautiful sons. The movie brought thoughts of what it must be like for couples affected by Alzheimer's to my mind. They must feel like strangers at times even though they have shared years of memories.
Should it someday be my destiny to have Alzheimer's, I hope my husband and children remember how much I love music, and animals, books, and cooking when I can no longer remember for myself - and that they try to find ways for me to continuing experiencing these things. For these are the things that make me ..... me. And they are the things they loved about me . . . once upon a time.
WINTER arrived overnight and just like it does every year brought with it some changes. The ground is no longer green but covered in a blanket of white, and a chilly wind is blowing. But, we've come to expect these changes, and are prepared to deal with them. Just like the changes that come with the different seasons, Alzheimer's brings changes. Some are subtle like flowers as they slowly start to peek through the ground in the Spring. Others are more apparent and seem to catch us off guard - like a winter storm. Perhaps if we could think about the disease more like a season, we could better accept the changes. There will be changes that come with Alzheimer's. We can count on that. Just like the weather, every day will be different. But, just as you look at the weather forecast, learning about the changes to expect, you will be better prepared to handle them. So, join a Alzheimer's support group, contact the Alzheimer's Association, or talk to someone at a memory care facility, and learn as much as you can - so you can be prepared.
