Communication-Be Prepared Not To Be Perfectly Prepared

I was gone for a few days to Tulsa, Oklahoma. I went to a dance convention with two of my grand kids. My oldest grandson is an assistant in one of the dance companies and my granddaughter was a scholarship finalists. I always wait to tell Mom, when I am going till the day before I leave. She then does not have to morn my going ahead of time. I always dread coming home,however, as I am not sure if she will be upset that I was gone. When I come home, I always bring her a bell to add to her collection. When I arrived, she said "my daughter, Delores, will like it that you brought this bell for me, she always brings one too". What is the right answer to this comment? I simply said "I thought you would like it, Mom". I tried not to "correct her" and just move on. That's what we did and it was fine. We talked about what Bryce and Caitlyn did at the convention and where we ate and lots of other fun things. She really enjoyed hearing about the great grand kids. She seemed to reorient herself without my doing it and embarrassing her.

My point is, I do this for a living. I teach communication with people that have Dementia 3-4 times a week. Even with this, level of experience, I am not always sure what to say. Having said this, I will just reinforce it is important to know what to do in a general way. Knowledge is helpful, but you will never know what to say in all circumstances. From there, do the best you can "getting into their world". The person with Alzheimer's Disease or other Dementia's can't get in to our world so we often have to get into theirs. Its not easy, but it is rewarding!! God Bless all of you who care for people with dementia, as you teach me as much as I teach you! Thanks.

May God hold you in the palm of Her hand!!