If you lose your sense of humour when dementia is in your household then you have made serious mistake.  So I hope you will forgive me for sharing glimpses of the funny side of dementia.

Early on following stroke M posed an interesting question when we were having a cuddle. She suddenly sat bolt upright in bed and asked: ‘I can’t still get pregnant can I ?’  Now most males will have had interesting questions posed to them at all time of their lives and as this goes it was a show stopper.  With combined ages of 140 and both having had surgery that would make such matters impossible I was stumped for words.  A good friend of mine, who has recently passed away, suggested and appropriate response: ‘the only way to find out is to keep trying’.

Only yesterday M said she was aware she may have upset me with something she said some time ago.  Despite a very poor short term memory she recalled saying something along the lines of: ‘You are only saying we are married so you can get into bed with me.  I want to see proof where is the marriage certificate and the photos?’  I still got into bed with her on the night in question as she declined my offer to sleep in a separate room.

Two wedding photos are now attached to a mirror in the hall and others are about the house as a reminder about my status here.  However, M often talks to me about P as if I am someones else.  You just have to laugh sometimes and use humor to help when you are living with dementia .