Things have been very chaotic here lately.  M is sleeping for large periods of the day and has become reluctant to go to bed at night.  Whenever she wakes up it is morning and she is expecting breakfast.  She has now lost track of day and night: the fact that is dark makes no difference to her assumption it is time for breakfast.  I have to take responsibility for allowing things to slip on the home front.

This morning has been exciting for a couple of reasons.  By 9.30 M was dressed and looked like a model.  She had chosen a lovely blue blouse and a matching sweater: the sight of her looking so good brought tears to my eyes. KISSS was working – all that hard work of the previous week sorting out her clothes was paying off.  The beam on her face when I opened the bedroom door said it all.  Then a second reason for thinking that we are on the right road on our journey: M warmed to my suggestion for a short shopping expedition.

Once again her performance has been amazing.  Her comittment this morning has been incredible (that is not too strong a word) as she has reached the places that you would think would no longer be attainable for someone in her condition.  She has walked around the centre of our Town without flinching; changed a garment in a high street store;  purchased vegetables in the city centre market.  I had wondered if she would ever reach such heights again.  I am not going to take any credit for this -that would be dangerous- it might just be a good day: only time will tell.

One thing that seems worth trying is to go with M’s shift pattern with one modification.  We need to try to get to bed before midnight.  So we have periods of activity throughout the day; followed by a restorative nap. Except in the evening.  when the musical interlude follows tea.  We then have a sporting chance to get to bed at a reasonable hour.  There may have to be some flexibility today as she may have overdone things.  However, to see her in this mode has given me so much pleasure .

Life with dementia is attainable; it just requires a shift of perspective and flexible working arrangements.