We are working on a three shift system here now.  Quite a busy start to the day with my ECG and other checks at our Medical Centre.  It brought home to me the point that Teepa Snow makes the important thing about dementia is capability not loss. M looked after me this morning she became my carer when I felt unwell.  All her maternal capabilities were pulled out of the bag and dementia was left where it belonged.

Because of the unexpected events of this morning I have not looked at the material I downloaded from the Net yesterday. Any chances of rejoining our Ballroom Class this morning has been shelved.   The morning Siesta is underway for M: my short doze is over.  So what can be done that provides cognitive stimulation for M as we lunch together in an hour or so?

Firstly, the ambiance of ‘my restaurant’ has to be compatible with the atmosphere of the occasion.  I am only catering for two today we are not accepting additional bookings.  Once prepared I will act as Maureen’s waiter responding to her every need.  She will comment on today’s creation and we will discuss it’s potential in the market place.   Appropriate music will be played in the background.

Sweet will be taken in the lounge.  We used to call it ‘pudding’ but now we are all middle class something has to change! Dishes may be returned to the kitchen as we decide if it is time for another rest, before we tidy up the debris in the kitchen.  M may assert that she can change role into a domestic and usually comments: ‘we are not going to have so many to lunch next time- this is all too tiring’.  Siesta will follow at the end of the second shift of the day.

I think Teepa would approve of our approach to living with dementia.  We strive to have fun as we go about daily living. What’s wrong with larking about pretending to do market research on the efforts of the ‘In House Signature Chef?’  The food is always good at  ‘Our Journey Restaurant’ and there is always lots of cognitive stimulation on the menu.