Contending with dementia

I think one of the hardest things to contend with regarding dementia is when the person still has the mental capacity to realize that there something wrong but can not figure out what it is.  Today Kay came to  me saying that everything she did was wrong.  It took me a long time to figure out what she actually  meant was that she could not sort out what was in her mind into something coherent. After a while under these circumstances I finally just tell her that her memory is bad. Usually she can think of what is in her mind but  not say it. I think that today she couldn't even organize what was in her mind.  Later this afternoon she became quite rational for her at this stage and held a conversation with her cousin Virginia.  I was surprised at how well she did.  Of course it has to be a one way conversation from Virginia but that sparks enough of Kays mind to follow up on what ever Virginia said.  You can not ask Kay anything about the past.  Kay will usually say something about what can I do for you or what is going on with you. You then tell her something but do  not expect a response from Kay that requires her to remember something from her past. I don't know how it finally turned out but Kay went to bed probably depressed with her mental condition.  She remained very quiet.  I guess other diseases might be worse but only if they have pain.  I cant think of anything worse than dementia.  



Bill Sheldon June 17, 1920. April 4, 2001. Four years in the 3rd Infantry Division WW2 His story. Find it at Four years in the 3rd Inf in WW2
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