DEMENTIA

Dementia is such an unpleasant disease. I can only imagine the emotions that sprout forth when told of the diagnosis; when you understand what will be happening to your brain. “John”, ninety-three, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s eight years ago. He has been in a recent decline and it was then, that his doctor made a hospice referral.

We met John and his daughter in a visiting room at the facility where John has lived for four years. John did not understand who we were or why we were there. The first thing I noticed was how happy he appeared. His daughter, “Amanda”, was so attentive to her father. John would ask Amanda about the athletic pants she was wearing and then would laugh. She would respond, “Do you want a pair?” Both of them would laugh so hard. It was wonderful to see.

This family was a joy to be with as John and Amanda had us all laughing throughout the visit. It was a blessing that John did not understand what was happening. That is the one gift that Alzheimer’s can give folks; no memory of how much they have lost. I know John will continue to laugh, and keep others laughing, as long as he can. God bless you John.


DEMENTIA

He's lost a lot of his memory,
but his wide smile still remains.
No matter what topic of conversation,
his laugh will permeate the room.

Dementia slowly robs one's memory.
Day by day, bit by bit.
One's reality may become distorted;
their truth known only to them.

You could tell he had a great sense of humor.
He was witty in his own way.
His laugh was so contagious;
with humorous sarcasm shining through.

I asked his daughter about his faith.
Would he like a chaplain to stop in?
She said he was a lifelong Mormon.
For ninety years he lived his faith.

Recently though, things have changed.
His faith has taken a dramatic turn;
as three years ago he adamantly proclaimed,
          “Enough of that!”

He made us all laugh,
like he's been doing all of his life.
Dementia may have robbed him blind,
but it kindly left him one wondrous gift;
          his humor.