Truly Living

Posted in Blog, Care Management, End of Life, Uncategorized on July 22, 2009
Professional Geriatric Care Manager Supervisor, Patti Liberman, RN, MFT, CMC

Professional Geriatric Care Manager Supervisor, Patti Liberman, RN, MFT, CMC

I have a client.  Her name is Jackie.  She is dying, but she doesn’t think so.  She looks fondly at the mourning dove settled in her nest in the flowerpot hanging over the patio of the board and care home that Jackie now calls home.  “I love sitting in the garden” she says.  Even as she struggles to breathe and they are taking her out on a gurney to the hospital… she tilts her head up to feel the warm rays of sunshine.  She closes her eyes and her entire face is smiling in appreciation of this great gift.  Jackie is dying………or is she just really living?

It is a time like this that makes me feel so privileged to be a Care Manager.

Being a Friend to Someone with Dementia

Posted in Alzheimer's, Blog, Dementia and Memory Loss, Uncategorized on July 7, 2009
Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

Often those with dementia are excluded from social events because they become confused or anxious when they no longer can track conversations or follow directions for games such as Bridge.

I am often asked, “What can I do with my friend who has memory loss or dementia?”. A few simple ideas:Invite them to lunch but don’t confuse them with a menu just say, “let’s go get some spaghetti and meatballs” and you do the ordering. When you eliminate the overwhelming options you are more likely to get a “yes” to your invitation and reduce the anxiety that menus or choosing a restaurant present.When you get to the restaurant just say to the waiter, “We want the spaghetti and meat balls- no need for a menu.”

Another idea is to ask the person to take a walk with you and just stay present on the surroundings; focus on the flora and/or wildlife.No need to remember, you just need to feel the day.It is surprising how many people with dementia and/or memory loss can’t remember the outing but their family will report how relaxed they were when they had the experience of just enjoying the moment.This is a gift those with dementia give us – the moment.