Joy and Happiness....By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
Has any anyone asked, what would you like for Christmas or the Holiday's this year?
What is an ideal gift for the Alzheimer's patient and the Alzheimer's caregiver.
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For the Alzheimer's patient, how about a gift certificate that keeps on giving?
While on the phone Dotty often tells a "whopper" of a story. She might talk about how she drove to the store and went shopping. Dotty hasn't driven a car in seven years. Yet, she still tells people she drives. Back in the old days, I use to find this disconcerting. Now, I am happy she is talking and interacting. When Dotty talks and interacts, I am happy she is still "here". Funny how experience in life can change the way you views things.
I guess you will have to email or discuss this gift with your family and relatives. Don't be afraid or reluctant to do it. You might be thinking, they won't do it. How about you let them make the decision.
How about a scholarship to an Alzheimer's Adult Day care facility?
Adult day care is not cheap. It runs $55 a day or more. You might be able to find a half day class for $25.
For those that have brothers, sisters, or children how about a group gift. Family members and friends can "chip in" to afford the cost. Once or twice a week is better than not at all.
I am interested in reader comments on the above suggestion. Yeah, I know the excuse, they won't go. Or, they won't like it. I heard all the excuses. And, that is what they are excuses.
How about we look at it this way. What is best for the patient? Will a weekly trip or two to a day care center improve the life of a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease? Would you enjoy and benefit from the "more there" look on their face?
For those of you that have someone in adult day care. Does the patient benefit? Does the caregiver benefit?
For the Alzheimer's caregiver. How about you give yourself and the patient a gift this year. How about a pledge to begin living your life this year in the way you did before the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease? What did you and the patient enjoy doing together?
Frankly, living your life can be rather easy. Simple is best. For example, Dotty and I go to the gym. Dotty goes "kicking and screaming" all the way. On the way out of the gym, she is a new person. Happier, more alert, "more there". Not some of the time, all of the times.
Here is a very simple premise. What did you enjoy doing before Alzheimer's disease with the person suffering from Alzheimer's disease? What did the person suffering from Alzheimer's disease enjoy doing?
I hear it already. They won't do it. They refuse to do it. They always say, NO.
Somebody has to be the adult in this situation. That somebody is YOU.
Here is my gift to you. Most Alzheimer's patients say No to just about any suggestion that requires them to get up and go out into the world. This is a product of Alzheimer's disease. Inertia.
Ask yourself this simple question, did they enjoy doing the activity before they had Alzheimer's disease? Then why wouldn't they enjoy doing it NOW. Don't fool yourself into thinking that just because they can't remember, they can't do anything.
I can remember when my mother didn't like being around a large group of people. This happened after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Now she enjoys going to the Banana Boat. The BB is always jam packed with people. There are never any seats available. Nevertheless, someone always gives Dotty a seat.
There are a lot of wonderful people out there folks. Don't fool yourself into thinking that you will be embarrassed. You will be surprised when you learn that there are people that you never met, and never knew, that want to help you. They will help you without even knowing it. The reason resides within them.
Watch for the smiles you will get. Smiles from people you never knew. You might ask yourself, why are they smiling at us?
Okay, now its your turn.
What is your idea of a good gift for a person that is suffering from Alzheimer's disease? Use the comments box below this article to tell us about your ideas.
What gift will cause a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease to be "more there". A gift that will bring a smile to their face. A gift that will have them "living" their life.
Hint: a new sweater won't bring the kind of life changing behavior that can bring joy and happiness to their life.
Joy and Happiness.
Related content.
- Test Your Memory for Alzheimer's (5 Best Self Assessment Tests)
- What is Alzheimer's Disease?
- What’s the Difference Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
- Communicating in Alzheimer's World
- How the Loss of Memory Works in Alzheimer’s Disease, and How Understanding This Could Help You
- Learning How to Communicate with Someone Suffering From Alzheimer's Disease
- Alzheimer's World -- Trying to Reconnect with Someone Suffering from Alzheimer's Disease
Bob DeMarco is the Founder of the Alzheimer's Reading Room and an Alzheimer's caregiver. The ARR knowledge base contains more than 3,811 articles with more than 306,100 links on the Internet. Bob lives in Delray Beach, FL.
Original content Bob DeMarco, the Alzheimer's Reading Room