DEMENTIA -

"Who among the gods is like you, O LORD ? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? Exodus 15:11

DEMENTIA

Debilitating
Degenerating
Dehumanizing
Demeaning
Delusional
Dependent
Deteriorating

Dementia is a horrible word, as I’ve come to know it! There is absolutely nothing good about it! I keep searching for a cause – through internet searches, conversations with Mom’s nurse, Christy , articles about it. Somewhere in my mind I keep thinking, “If we could just figure out what caused it, maybe we can fix it.” There is no fix! It continues to take over our lives, leaving behind frustration, anger and grief.
Today was a rough day! There was not one time this entire day when Mother made sense about anything! She was frightened and upset most of the day – believing that there were people outside that were going to hurt us or hurt “the kids”. I have no idea who “the kids” are she was talking about, but she was convinced they would be hurt. I had to “send out” messages to pacify her. Jody and I both would have to go outside and look around for her so that we could tell her there was no one outside! She was awake the entire day, which is unusual for her. I had her lie down this afternoon, hoping she would be able to rest, but she could not go to sleep. She kept “seeing” people coming into the house and when I would ask her what was wrong, she would whisper – afraid those people would hear her talking. Several times, she cried and was extremely upset and fearful.
When Jeannie was here yesterday, she told me that she and Bob would bring communion for us today and I invited them to eat lunch with us. I told Mom they would be coming for lunch and before they arrived, she got very upset and was crying because she was worried that the men outside were going to hurt Jeannie and she wouldn’t be able to get here. She was still crying when they got here, but we finally convinced Mom that Jeannie was okay.

What other nation is so great

as to have their gods near them

the way the LORD our God

is near us whenever we pray to him?

Deuteronomy 4:7

We’ve been dealing with the confusion now for several months, but this is the first time that she has had hallucinations. I plan to talk to Christy about it this week when she comes on Thursday. If Mom has another day like today, I will call and talk to Christy before Thursday. I’m not sure that we can do anything except more medication and I’m not sure I want to do that. I guess unless it becomes totally unmanageable, we will try to keep things the way they are now.
It’s hard to even have the television on when Mom’s in the room because whatever is happening on TV becomes her reality. She reacts to it as if she is actually present in the situation or that she is looking through a window seeing what’s happening. It’s just so bizarre! I worked in a nursing home for a few years during high school and, of course, cared for people who had dementia – but never so closely, nor was it someone close to me. I was very young and didn’t really understand, or even think about how difficult it must be on family. I guess, as it’s been said, you have to walk in the shoes before you know how it feels!
I got Mom to bed about 7:30 tonight and hopefully she will be able to sleep tonight. Since she was awake all day, I think she will – but you never know!
I ask the Lord, daily, for strength to get me through, and to guide me as I care for Mother that I can care for her with love and kindness. I ask Him to help Mother feel his loving touch upon her and know that she is not alone!

Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:8

Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14