Dementia May Not Be An "End All" Condition

Leah! What grand success in one day. I applaud you for your effort, enthusiasm, and results in helping yourself and others. Way to go! Diane

Faaaaaantastic!!!! Amazing!!!! Just goes to show whats possible with hard work

Christine

Dear Leah,

   What an absolutely fantastic job you are doing with your life an condition.  I am continually amazed and astonshed and what you continue to do and accomplish.  I

meant to address your earlier post about forgetting to pick up your grandchild after

some event even with all the calenders you keep.  Several years ago while I was trying

yet another medication for my epilepsy, the one my neurologist placed me on caused

a a reaction which mimiced early on-set dementia so you could kind of say "I've been

there."  I was also taking care of my mother who was suffering from vascular dementia

so keeping two (2) sets of calendars, hers and mine, about various doctors appointments, etc.  plus taking over her finances, etc.  There were days when I couldn't remember what day of the week it was unless I looked at the newspaper.  I

finally figured out that I had to somehow prioritize.  Appointments went on calendars,

to do lists were made out daily basis and if they included something that had to be

done the following week they were put on a weekly calendar, monthly, or annual

calendar.  But if it was something really important, and like you, I was having severe

problems with short term memory, post-it notes, became my life savers.  If the rent

was due the next day, I would write RENT in big letters (my writing is very small) and

post it in the place I was most likely to see it.  Where?  The bathroom mirror.  Every-

body has to go to the bathroom.  This might be the helper you need as simple as it

sounds and also shares a note with your husband of something that you need to do

that day that you may not have told him about.  In fact an errand he could have run

for you.

With my greatest admiration,

MelIce97