During the last week I have attempted to launch a fight back against dementia.  This has involved watching and listening to M to try to establish where we are on our journey with dementia. The focus has been on controlling our environment and minimising distress.

There is some evidence that the new approach is having a positive impact.  Unfortunately, this hot spell and infection have had a dampening impact on progress.  On occasions I have been taken aback by what I have seen: when my ‘model appeared’ it brought tears of joy.  When the daily underwear search for comfort and fit continues I suffer quite the opposite emotion and feel impotent to intervene.  So enough rambling what next ……..

To some extent it is going to be more of the same.  The land line is going to remain off for most of the time: incoming phone calls cause distress.  No more going out to have fun and leaving M with ‘baby sitters’ for me.  Trying to stay beside M in bed i.e. not getting up at the crack of dawn would be a start.  Eating slowly so I automatically give prompts of what to do next is an imperative.  But there is more than that………………

I have daily respite during M’s down time – ‘I’m just going to rest my eyes. leg’  or whatever.  This is when I need to Blog to make sure I am by M’s side as we do things together throughout the day.  If I am to provide the starting routines for her declining short term memory I need to be by her side not at the PC or asleep in the chair.  Who knows this may be a way of curtailing ‘packing to go home’:  possibly a nightly routine when she is struggling to fill her time.

No I am not a salesman for Americans: I have already waxed lyrical over the work of Irving Kirsch, now I need to focus on Teepa Snow.  Her positive approach to dementia is based on capabilities rather than limitations.  She is downloading her Positive Approach to Care in London in a months time.  I need to be there as a carer for M and to develop my voluntary role within Dementia Engagement.  My background in adult learning makes me an ideal candidate to share PAC with fellow carers in this area.  Guess who I will be contacting shortly?