Four Dementias, Four Approaches: Part IV

Alice was a person who could be distracted fairly well, however. I could bring a church newsletter, or a note from her daughter, and read them to her, then put them in her pocket, and she would take them out from time to time and look at them. This made her quite content for awhile. She could be re-directed if she was in a situation where she was off-course. A good natured reminder could get her back to some semblance of reality. She would let go of whatever she had been determined to do, and get on with things. I believe a part of that was her naturally cooperative nature.

In the end, Alice remained sweet and – mostly – cooperative, until her death. She had her moments of stubbornness, but they were few. Alice slept away as I hoped she would. A peaceful death for a peaceful woman.

Distraction. Redirection. Get into their world? A caregiver has to think on his or her feet. Do what is needed at the time. Try this. Try that. All we can do is our best.

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