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DEMENTIA – BY BLOGGER TY

Sad lonely pensive old senior woman

Good day to you all. Our blogger and friend Ty has written the post for today and it is a touching one, but one which needs attention nevertheless. As a child growing up in Jamaica, I would sometimes hear my mother make reference to someone at times, like, “Poor Doris gone senile”, or other references would be made by people, of older folks who had lost their memory as being senile , they no longer recognized any one. I have no idea if being senile or having Dementia is the same, but I now know through this post, that Dementia is more than memory loss. Please read, learn, and let us talk about this awful disease. Thank you Ty for this post. People when you pray please include the world!

Dementia

Many of us fear cancer, lightning, drowning or gunshot wounds. However a huge number of people as they age fear dementia. The loss of independence is a harrowing thought, not being able to complete simple tasks as brushing your teeth or remembering your loved ones. Some people question why God would give humans this terrible disease. I am not sure what the answers are but I do know that without diseases such as these, we would not remember the blessing of seeing our loved ones faces and feeling their embrace.

My maternal great grandmother and my God mother both had dementia. I did not know my maternal great grandmother so did not know her struggle. I do know that this disease caused her to “give away my grandmother” to her sister who had no children of her own. I am thankful that she was able to figure out that she needed help and blessed my grandmother. My god mother on the other hand, I knew and saw her struggle. When my parents left Jamaica, and me there, it was she who helped me. She was in the early stages of dementia. I was a teenager and was not aware of the signs.

A common thing to happen is that they tend to mask their deficits. They make light of their short comings and make excuses as to why they forgot things. Now, memory loss does not mean dementia, so before you go thinking you have it, relax. Dementia is a processing abnormality. it is a problem with the higher functions of the brain. Here are some examples:

  1. someone is given a checkbook and they cannot write a check, after years of being an account
  2. someone gets lost driving to church after being a member for over 20 years
  3. someone is given a toothbrush, and the can neither recall the name of the item or how to use it

Memory loss can be due to many other things than dementia, example vitamin b12 deficiency, folate deficiency, thyroid problems, vascular problems, strokes and infections. All these have to be excluded before you can get a diagnosis of dementia. Ideally, for the diagnosis of dementia one has to undergo a neuropsychology testing. This is a 2 hour examination that tests the function of the brain. The best way I can describe this test, is to say that it differs from a CAT scan or MRI. A CAT scan or MRI is like taking a picture of a person sitting in a chair. You can describe the persons clothes, and infer information, e.g. they wear glasses so they may have vision problems. You, however, cannot tell if they can get up and walk, or if they can walk well. This is where the neuropsychological testing comes in, it tells you the functional capacity and efficiency of the different parts of your brain based on how you complete a series of tasks. It tells you where you excel and the areas where you may need work. I personally feel that everyone over 40 should do this test because you are able to make a difference at this point.

Once the diagnosis of dementia is made it sends a devastating blow to not only the person but also to their family. There are many thoughts as to how we develop dementia but no one really knows. Dementia is thought to be a spectrum of disorders or a hodgepodge of disorders. Equally as frustrating is that there is no cure and no real treatment. There have been many thoughts and so far none have really panned out. A few years ago, there was the thought of high dose vitamin E, this eventually led to many bleeds in the head which resulted in much more devastating effects that the dementia process itself. Then there was the gingko phase, unfortunately, many people do not know that there is a male and a female ginkgo tree and both have separate and different effects on the brain. The hope of it being a treatment caused pandemonium and people got all kinds of gingko treatments and, as you guessed it, had bad outcomes. To date none of the research on gingko has shown a benefit.

Dementia has left scientists with a conundrum. It was first thought to be a protein build up issue. See, our brain and bodies run on electricity, which require positively and negatively charged particles to circulate. So, excess proteins disrupt this process and hence the brain does not process like it should. It sounded feasible and then to top it there were brain biopsies on autopsies of dementia patients to show an excess protein build up. This premise was what lead to the name Alzheimer dementia ( one variant of dementia where there is excess protein that is ONLY confirmed on biopsy at death). So it led to a flood of drugs to try to slow down the protein build up, these are still on the market and are the only ones available. So sad but true.

In the past few years, through stem cell research, the protein theory was debunked. It was proven that the proteins are not the initiating process but a by-product. See, the protein is after the fact and by the time it shows up, the damage is beyond repair. This same stem cell research has led scientists to figure out what is the initiating factor or damage. Currently, the main thought is that the brain tissue is very fatty, and so, made up many oils. If there is an imbalance in the oils, then the brain cannot function well and it will send out SOS signals which intern lead to inflammation, cross circuit and scarring. the scarring can lead to loss of tissue and breakdown, which then progress to protein build up. So far no drugs are available to combat this oil imbalance but there are some in the works.

So far, no one knows for sure what is the process and how to stop it, hence no viable drugs are available. The only thing that has stood the test of time in preventing dementia is exercise. Every single study done has shown that exercise has benefits to stave off dementia, slow the process and halt it. As why and how, there is still debates. Below is a short article on Dr. O’Keefe who won the Nobel Peace Prize this week for his work on dementia.

https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/06/us-nobel-prize-medicine-alzheimers-idUSKCN0HV1ND20141006

My honest opinion, is that stem cell transplant will be the only way for a cure. I think drugs will come in the future to halt or slow it down. The only cure, however, will come from stem cell transplant. Now before the bible beaters come after me, please hear me out. Stem cell are not only retrieved from aborted fetuses. They can be harvested from: the foreskin of a newborn that was circumcised, the umbilical cord right after delivery, your pelvic bone, and a few even can come from your inner cheek. So, there is hope.

Now back to my beloved god mother, she started to show the signs in her early 60s and progressed rapidly. She was an Anglican who never missed church on Sundays and early on in the disease would wake up 5 am to make it to 9 am mass. What was normally a 20 minute drive became hours. She would make all kinds of excuses as to why she got up so early. Then, she would ask me to write up her checks because her eye sight was “not so good”. She began to make the supermarket home-deliver her groceries because she was old, tired, and did not want to stand in lines.

When I left Jamaica I was still a teenager, I did not know the signs and aided in her cover up. I can clearly remember the day I was leaving, she held me tight and told me that she would miss me dearly and wondered how I would grow. I shrugged it off the day because I felt she would always be around and never sensed the storm that was coming. A few years later a got a call from a friend of mine who was in the legal arena that my god mother had called him to add me as the executor of her will. I was livid. She had 2 daughters, both older than me, and lots of money at stake. I did not want that responsibility. He was concerned when he saw the amount of money involved that trouble would be near for me should something happen to her. I told him to not accept the case and he did. I called her up and we argued. She felt that I was honest, fair, and that I would never fight over money or land. I told her never to give me that role as I did not want it. She was just as mad with me as I was with her. That was our last conversation.

I did not speak to her for a few years after and on a trip to Jamaica decided to visit her because I missed and loved her. When I saw her, I did not recognized her. She looked horrible. Her hair was cut short, she was emaciated, she had to be fed from a cup and spoon, she was bed ridden, had a foley catheter in place to catch her urine, and worse of all she could not speak audible words. I cried when I saw her because when my parents had left me to fend for myself, she was my shoulder, and the one I could talk to. I was a quiet child, and an internalizer, so I never revealed my emotions to anyone but when I cried she would embrace me and never asked a question. I loved her for that because she understood that was what I needed and never pried. Yet when I saw her and she could not speak, I was afraid to touch or hug her. I feared I would break her. It was a very sad moment for me….

I do not regret turning down the offer of being the executor of her will. To this day the two sisters are in legal battles over the money, land, and properties. I do, however, regret not speaking to her after that for such a long time. Fear and anger barred me from that. She died a few months after I saw her and on every May 31st (her birthday) I light a candle and pray for her.

This was not meant to be a sad commentary but one to empower you all.  I want you to know that:

  1. science has a long way to go for dementia treatment and that early detection can be an awesome tool
  2. exercising is a wonderful way we can all stave off dementia.
  3. hug and embrace your loved ones often.

I pray that my story here has shed some light on this dreadful disease, encouraged someone to have their love one tested who is showing early signs, made you not delay that workout session, and most of all be thankful for the well functioning brain you have. Ase.

Tí ìyà ńlá bá gbé’ni ṣán’lẹ̀, kékèké á gorí ẹni. /
If one is tripped by a major setback, little ones will take advantage of one……Yoruba Proverb!

[Major issues can make one vulnerable to minor ones.]

All religions are valid as long as it teaches peace and love…..Obara Meji!

There are no disappointments in life, only lessons learned…..Obara Meji

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[…] again, as with the Dementia post, Ty has managed to write this awesome post, which touched me, not only because of this little […]

MTH
Blogger
MTH
9 years ago

I dont believe sey Portia has a Jamaican visa. Shi turn dat in long time fi access Merica medical care. Yu tinkdem easy. Portia is one of the most heartless people I know. How can she claim any form of success in politics? 40 long years and nothing to show? Manley’s legacy is there for all to see, Maternity Leave, Equal Pay etc.

MTH
Blogger
MTH
9 years ago

Morning Teach. Big girl still sick. Little one a look afta di big one. Teach, miproud a how dem live loving. Mi naah lie, mi love di post wey Ty, come wid. Teach mi juss a hear sey smaddy a Austraila has Ebola. Mi love how Nigeria Ebola free and big, big Merica a look to dem fi help. What a way distone di builder refuse now turn di head corner stone. Bap! Bap! Nigeria. Since mi out (and mi fada normally tell mi wey dey gwan inna di news, since him sick, somethings a miss mi). Mi neva know… Read more »

MTH
Blogger
MTH
9 years ago

Let me address the Chick-V issue in Jamaica. The Min. of Health is someone I neither liked nor disliked. However, since this Chick-V thing, I am now looking at him with no regard. His is a dam liar that put the country at risk. For more than 3 weeks he kept report only 24 cases of ‘suspected’ cases of Chick-V in the island. Then my friend a police officer got and I listen the news, still 24 cases were being reported. However,when you listen to the news (RJR 5:00p.m. news is my primary source) you were hearing that a school… Read more »

Cami
9 years ago
Reply to  MTH

MTH, I don’t know how to post pictures but i I did I would so Obara would see the man as a true liar, lol him mouth look heavy fi tell lies. I should know…me former step father had the same heavy mouth and wide nose fi exhale after telling the lies. lolol

MTH
Blogger
MTH
9 years ago

Thanks Cami. My dad was making light of the situation that he was ill and not his mouth so once he can eat he is fine. He has come down with a piece a toothache. Mi sarry fi mi fada. Mi a run up and dung a lookpain killers fi both mi fada and daughta.

MTH
Blogger
MTH
9 years ago

Half way through reading the comments and just want to pause and make a few comments before I forget. LOL. Teach, I like your introduction, growing up,I often heard people take about people being senile. I had no clue that being senile and having dementia were the same thing. Ty, great post. Your writting sytle is great. Dementia is a topic that few people talk about, yetit is something that affects a lot of people. I often wonder how does exercise works in aiding people retain their memory when yousee people like Ali who was a boxer and an avid… Read more »

MTH
Blogger
MTH
9 years ago

Teach, morning. All fambo big respect. Thanks so much for your concern re my girls and I. I had taken off Tuesday as Big M was very ill. I was in and out of office yesterday. She is still ill and I might have to leave work shortly and go stay with her. My father on the other one is still in serious pain. But as Anansi sey, two trouble betta dan one.’ Blessings one and all.

Cami
9 years ago
Reply to  MTH

Morning MTH, nice to see you and glad to know that all is well and big M is progressing, dad shall to…ase.

Ty
Blogger
Ty
9 years ago

I am off to bed…the excercise class have me a ways…

Cami
9 years ago
Reply to  Ty

Night Ty…you go gym a evening and I in the mornings. Enjoy your day at work.

O, link me if yu not sleepy.

Hailings to New Name, Nayaha and Yazzy since I haven’t seen you all.

Ty
Blogger
Ty
9 years ago

Lol…

Cami
9 years ago

Creator, please to relieve Obara of her ugly hat obsession.

Ty
Blogger
Ty
9 years ago
Reply to  Cami

Grung

Obara Meji
Blogger
9 years ago
Reply to  Cami

She since like rat bat, vi de ht dem ugly baddd

Obara Meji
Blogger
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

Ah wha dat mi write doe eeh god??

She ah Neva si come si !

Obara Meji
Blogger
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

Gn, Ty

Obara Meji
Blogger
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

Dem nuh sey two smaddy dead from it Cami?

Ty
Blogger
Ty
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

Obara di Jcans not reporting the true numbers, the lying minister of health came out with a statement say is only 30 people wid chikv when him did know sey it was more like 30,000

Cami
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

If so they had a low immune system. As Ty stated it’s the dehydration that caused the fatalities (I wasn’t aware) because high fever is one of the problems.

Obara Meji
Blogger
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

30,000 Ty !!!!

Ty
Blogger
Ty
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

And counting…

Cami
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

That political jackass is a bible beater. I can’t stand the man.

Ty
Blogger
Ty
9 years ago
Reply to  Cami

He should resign…

And Portia’s Jcan visa should be revoked…

Obara Meji
Blogger
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

She need a ugly church hat

Ty
Blogger
Ty
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

Grung

Obara Meji
Blogger
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

De hery hair style need to go

Ty
Blogger
Ty
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

She need fi tek whey herself ….

No worry di see Jcans going to goeth her back in next year…by Xmas dem figet chikv

Cami
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

me a wonda if porsha did check wid de obeah monkey to why so so heartless.

Ty
Blogger
Ty
9 years ago
Reply to  Cami

Lol, she a paloff…lol

Cami
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

The “I love poor people” thing as become a running mantra when she ignore the massive so I think this is her end…cause if you don’t show poor people love they can be spiteful she should have known that…she dun

Ty
Blogger
Ty
9 years ago
Reply to  Cami

I hope u are right Cami…

Cami
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

Me a look to the spirits to mek sure me right. lol

Cami
9 years ago
Reply to  Ty

Ty, so far I’ve know people who contracted chick-v and so far it only last for a week max. The worst is when it is contracted, the fever and itching. So far no causualties…ase.

Ty
Blogger
Ty
9 years ago
Reply to  Cami

Ase!!!

It is dehydration that kills them, as long as they keep hydrated they live

Ty
Blogger
Ty
9 years ago
Cami
9 years ago

Onu de yah? lol Me ago watch one show (American Horror:Freak Show) be back. Since I napped already I’ll be trolling the comments.

I’m not logged off, screen up so me can still participate mean time.

Cami
9 years ago

Where is everyone? Obara inna busy season so we can see with her…ty/yw been throwing out articles so dem pardon…I’m here…

Ty
Blogger
Ty
9 years ago
Reply to  Cami

I am here Cami with my tribes of ancestral spirits, dem plenty plenty…

charles206
Blogger
9 years ago

ASE TOY

Obara Meji
Blogger
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

American horror freak show??

Ty
Blogger
Ty
9 years ago

I am off to excercise, I will be back on later…

Ty
Blogger
Ty
9 years ago

Did u guys see they euthanized a dog because of possible contact with Ebola?

Cami
9 years ago
Reply to  Ty

TY, people protest for the dog like it was a young baby. Ogun get him a dog.

Ty
Blogger
Ty
9 years ago
Reply to  Cami

Yes he did…dem know bout….

Ty
Blogger
Ty
9 years ago
Reply to  Cami

Cami den hear what di dog name, Excalibur….lol

Cami
9 years ago
Reply to  Cami

Excalibar! lolol him teeth kin tonight.

Ty
Blogger
Ty
9 years ago
Reply to  Cami

Grung

Ty
Blogger
Ty
9 years ago

Thank you Toy….

toy7318
9 years ago

Hey everyone, Obara, Ty,Yw, Cami, Nunu, Kia, Charles and everyone I have missed. Ty you did a great job on giving us insight about Dementia. Cami, it hurt my heart to read about your grandmother also your grandmother Charles. Mth, I hope your baby girl is feeling better. I hope we get an update from you soon. I am so happy to know Nigeria is free of the disease. I am so happy to you all in my life. I have become more better person, because of each and everyone of you. Thank you Obara for this site. Thank O’… Read more »

Cami
9 years ago
Reply to  toy7318

Toy, you’re the relative that when they go away you miss them and when they come back you extremely glad to see them ((hugs)). It’s a pleasure to know each of you on here, because it;s a small group its even more intimate.

Blessings to you and yours always…ASE.

Obara told me about the elders and when they group and say ase…it funny, dwln

Ty
Blogger
Ty
9 years ago
Reply to  Cami

So true Cami, we are such an intimate family…

toy7318
9 years ago
Reply to  Cami

Awww, Cam Cam my booski! Thank you! love your energy always making me laugh.

kiabubblez
Blogger
kiabubblez
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

O honestly i cant handle the taste. With the aloe, orange n banana blended is only a slight bitterness we taste.

kiabubblez
Blogger
kiabubblez
9 years ago

Last night they reported Thomas Duncan recieved the experimental drugs yesterday but his organs had already failed. His family had just reached Tx yesterday also. So sad

TY
Blogger
TY
9 years ago
Reply to  kiabubblez

Kia, he will be cremated and his family will not see him…so sad

kiabubblez
Blogger
kiabubblez
9 years ago
Reply to  TY

Aww may he find peace. Condolences to his family. Why will he be cremated? think i know…

TY
Blogger
TY
9 years ago

just a reminder, keep drinking your aloe vera…it is bitter i know but oh so good for you…

kiabubblez
Blogger
kiabubblez
9 years ago
Reply to  TY

So Ty i blend it with fruits. Yu think is arite? i use one large leaf(i guess its called) it bitter it bitter 🙁

Ty
Blogger
Ty
9 years ago
Reply to  kiabubblez

Any way you can get it down, do so…something better than nothing…

toy7318
9 years ago
Reply to  TY

Ty, I bought a aloe vera plant from home depot. It is so bitter, but i figured what is a little bitterness when it is health benefit.

Ty
Blogger
Ty
9 years ago
Reply to  toy7318

Exactly Toy, we drink it plain, then eat candy after, skittles is my favorite ….

TY
Blogger
TY
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

Yes…Nigeria has done what is considered to be a miracle and defies all projected odds…The work they did in Lagos will be written down in history…

TY
Blogger
TY
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

Thanks to you Obara and our family here…we are all sharing and embracing spirituality…we pray, send love, light and healing to a lll…we fast, pray, meditate and self reflect…we vent so as not to carry or harbor ill feelings…we are elevating our ori, spirits and re-connecting to our higher self…

TY
Blogger
TY
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

Baba Ogun Yay, baba mi, baba wa, Ogun se ola

TY
Blogger
TY
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

Funny thing is that Nigeria had asked the US for the drugs, and they said no…Now the US is asking Nigeria for help as to how to contain the spread…there is a second case in Texas…if the patient is black, we know the outcome…so sad

TY
Blogger
TY
9 years ago

Mth I am praying for you, your daughter and whole family…sending healing energy and hugs…

kiabubblez
Blogger
kiabubblez
9 years ago
Reply to  TY

ASE

TY
Blogger
TY
9 years ago

iba Thomas Eric Duncan

TY
Blogger
TY
9 years ago

Such sad news that the guy in Texas died of Ebola… I will light a white candle for him tomorrow and pray for his family…

TY
Blogger
TY
9 years ago

Thank you for that Obara…I think there is definitely a spiritual side to dementia…hence why there are so many varying processes in how each individual gets it and handle it…

We all have to remember that we are living in a live, ever changing energy field and that our words, thought, actions and wishes can transform and shape this energy.

Cami
9 years ago

Me going to take a nap…bb

Cami
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

I’m quite mindful and living to a ripe old age isn’t for me…cause ripe could be 100. I wish to have the same partner when me get old and when him gone, then I’ll be glad to go.

On that note: Wonder if that man meet up with his wife yet….(whistle, whistle, la de dah, dah)

TY
Blogger
TY
9 years ago

Charles, Cami, and Kia…my heart and prayers are with your loved ones…it is a hard process to see…

Thank GOD from what you all stated, your loved ones are all mellow…sometimes they get very angry and become violent…even when it is not their personality…

Cami
9 years ago
Reply to  TY

Hey Ty, again great article (me know a you write it, lol) My grand will get aggravated once in a while if they take too long to dress her and during undressing.

TY
Blogger
TY
9 years ago
Reply to  Cami

Lol…she sounds wonderful…

going to pick up kids.. brb

kiabubblez
Blogger
kiabubblez
9 years ago
Reply to  TY

Hey Charles Yw Ty very nice post today. Yes granny doesn’t like me to monitor her and will often yell that she’s an adult, to just leave her alone. I hover around her one because she has fallen and two she often takes items. She’ll have the whole house in her purse or pocket if yu nuh watch her. Lol I can remember waking once and she was glaring at me like she was about to fight me. Next hour she’s smiling and talking.

Cami
9 years ago
Reply to  kiabubblez

lolol…Kia that is so funny. I collected Annie Geddes babies and my mum had a patient who came to my place, and as soon as she saw the babies she start put them in her purse and pockets, I had to give her one just to get back 6, lol.

My grandmother once accused my cousin of trying to steal her bed slippers, lol Funny, because that was the most vocal she had been for a few months.

charles206
Blogger
9 years ago
Reply to  TY

Thanks TY

Cami
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

Yah type up me drug while yu at it mam?

charles206
Blogger
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

Thanks Obara.

TY
Blogger
TY
9 years ago

As with regards to vitamins…vitamins are enhancers, the allow ALL brain and cell function to work better…the brain loves B vitamins and when they are low can cause memory loss and also speed up dementia…

You do not have to get vitamins from pills..the best way is from fruits and vegetables….also remember that B vitamins are water soluble, so any excess for that day comes out in your urine….

having fruits and vegetables regularly is the best way…if you cannot, then you take pills…

Cami
9 years ago
Reply to  TY

Ty, I don’t like fruits very much. Only when I’m in Jamaica I’ll binge on certain fruits.

The main reason is the sweetness. I don’t understand how nutritionist are telling people to not use sugar, yet telling dieters to consume plenty of fruits which for me is too sweet…weird hah?

TY
Blogger
TY
9 years ago
Reply to  Cami

Hey Cami, Fruits and vegetables have simple sugars, glucose, which the body can process very easily. When you get sugars, cakes, cookies etc these are complex sugars with bigger molecules and often converted to fats.

That is why honey or brown sugar is best to sweeten with because it has less refinement and the simplest sugars.

TY
Blogger
TY
9 years ago

The brain is a super computer, believe it or not, no recent computer can challenge the power of the brain. It is said that we only access 30% of our brains. People who meditate access 10 to 20% more brain power… when you open ideas and thought, it is like you open apps. So if you have a lot on your mind, you have many apps open and the brain goes slower. We sometime think we forget easier at this time. So Obara this is what was happening to you when you place the items in the wrong place. When… Read more »

TY
Blogger
TY
9 years ago

Good evening everyone, I too like Obara was nervous about my writing and how it would be received. I am happy you all got something from it.

charles206
Blogger
9 years ago

She moves around. We had to restrict her movement, so children don’t start making jest of her.

Cami
9 years ago
Reply to  charles206

Ok. Going out alone is a No,No.

charles206
Blogger
9 years ago

Everybody in my family is waiting on the news that she’s no longer with us. Most times, when their is visitors in the house, she would come out and say, shes going. Our visitors will look at us like, where is your granny going? One of us, will hold her hands and take her back to her room. It’s painful tho

Cami
9 years ago
Reply to  charles206

Does she go on trips outside of the home? If she is strong enough it would be good to drive her out on weekends.

NuNu
Blogger
9 years ago
Reply to  charles206

Hey Charles and Cam, I feel for you guys I couldn’t even imagine seeing someone I love live like that. I worse can’t even imagine having a degenerative disease, our memories are a big part of us, losing it is like losing yourself basically, the panic that must set it when you start that journey!

Cami
9 years ago
Reply to  NuNu

Hey NuNu puss…you good? hope so.

Yeah it’s sad because they are there, but not really there with you in conversation. But they are aware of something when you look in their eyes.

charles206
Blogger
9 years ago

Goodevening Obara n all ES crew, presently my grandmother is going through this process, first it started with her sights and next, she would say to you. “Im going” everybody would be wondering where’s going to. She doesn’t even know me again. I feel for her, all my life, have known her to be a strong woman. I don’t like the ending part of her life.

Cami
9 years ago
Reply to  charles206

Hi Charles…the feeling is mutual. Now I question why is she still around for little over 100 years and having to go through this. Obara gave me an answer (love that crazy Obara) that kind of mellow me out a bit.

Cami
9 years ago

Morning Everyone, peepers included. Mth, hope all is well with your daughter. Yazzy? Ty, great article. Like Kia, my maternal grandmother is nearing 101, but dementia took her in her 80s. I remember when she last spoke to me and when I say me…I mean knowing me by name and speaking to me. Now she only speak once in a blue moon and she has less than 5% recognition to whom she is addressing. She tend to move her fingers as if she is sewing (she use to hand stitch a lot) and when she was able to stand on… Read more »

Obara Meji
Blogger
9 years ago
Reply to  Cami

Good morning Cami and Ty

Cami
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

Morning Obara OOOOOO…withdrawl a kill me and now you have Ty a finish me off with an emotional topic. Yw, going to need some humor in a de evening fi recoup.

Obara Meji
Blogger
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

You’re welcome Charles

kiabubblez
Blogger
kiabubblez
9 years ago
Reply to  Cami

(((Hugs))) CAmi yes it is hard to see our beloved grannys as such. My granny folds everything n always try tidy the house as she worked as a helper for years. Her caregiver told me of an elder man with dementia she worked with that always would seem to be moping or sweeping floors. Eventually she learned that was his occupation.

Cami
9 years ago
Reply to  kiabubblez

I thought my grand was just depress so I encouraged my aunt, her secondary caregiver, to let her do her gardening (she loves flowers) but then she didn’t want to do that. Then i remembered that her and I use to draw flowers (part of her needlework skills) so I purchased crayons and a drawing pad…that didn’t work. At one point I was upset because 2 younger boys (cousins) were using the crayons and drawing pad…I was upset because this is where reality hit that she was no longer herself…that’s when I got sad about it and still can’t accept… Read more »

kiabubblez
Blogger
kiabubblez
9 years ago

Good morning Obara ES fambo Ty thank yu for sharing this. I too have a grand parent with dementia. She nearly 100 n feisty is a shame! Lol its her short term memory that seems to have suffered as she cant remember taking her daily meds or if she’s eaten lunch but can tell yu all about her life when she was younger. She also love man! She will flirt with the dr, the driver, and handsome man. Thankfully she remembers us but her moody change alot. Thankful her dementia has not progressed as some other people I’ve meet or… Read more »

Cami
9 years ago
Reply to  Obara Meji

It would be good to have a listing of these Alpha vitamins and their benefits on this posting.

Yw
Blogger
Yw
9 years ago

Ekaro Obara Meji and all!! Dementia or any issue that affects the mind is difficult, to me. How the person who has the problem deals with it is important but maybe more important is how those around them empathize and deal with the affected. Some people with dementia may make light of it, some may get belligerent but most (if not all) try to cover it up. In my opinion, it is important to empathize and understand that losing one’s memory may cause one to feel lost and panic as a result. Knowing this may help loved ones to better… Read more »

NuNu
Blogger
9 years ago
Reply to  Yw

Yes that is true, Empathy is very important, when I was in school my roommate had a friend whose grandmother had dimentia, so of course because she was losing her memory she forgot how to do the simplest of things and became almost childlike and sometimes she got ill treated and as her disease got progressively worse they treated the lady like house furniture. So sad

Cami
9 years ago
Reply to  NuNu

House furniture? That’s a terrible family.

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