Tag Archives: Alzheimer’s Disease

God’s Love Conquers All

God's Love Conquers All

“I don’t know who you are, but I am NOT your mother!”

The harsh words cut to the core of my being. I wanted to cry, to scream, to shake her and say, “yes, you are my mother!”

In that moment, God gave me the presence of mind and grace to answer with love.

“Well, Sweet Lady, you’re someone’s mother. Is it okay if I call you ‘Momma’?”

Dealing with dementia, Alzheimer’s, memory issues of any kind is hard. There are no easy answers. Click here for some practical tips you may find helpful in caring for your entire family.

For me, God clearly helped me day-by-day to cope with Mother’s ever-changing world. As a Loving Father, he enabled me to continue with Mother’s care, smiling and hugging on her.

God's Love Conquers All Later, after she was snuggled safely in bed, I headed for the back porch and cried and yelled and screamed. “God, this just isn’t fair! I want Momma back.” Life isn’t fair; often it’s a jungle out there.

As I write this article tonight, I am aware many of you are facing new journeys; the unexpected has hit our world and disturbed our routines. Already overwhelmed by life, you may now have family at home from school or work. Perhaps you are having to work at home.

The basic needs are the same.  Everyone in our home (and work and communities) need to know they are loved above all else. For me, Momma remembering who I was or even who she was, was not as important as her feeling cared for and loved.

Wise words are found in Romans 8:31KJV “…if God be for us, who can be against us.” Read more comforting and true words here.

If circumstances of the day have found you in trying times with your family, remember: we all need to know we are loved. Turn to the One Who loves you most. In troubled times (regardless of what they are,)

I am praying for you and sending hugs,

How are you handling the trials of our changing world today? Let me hear from you.

For more about Momma and me, click here.

 

Individualized Music for Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

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Individualized Music for Dementia and Alzheimer's DiseaseFor persons with dementia and its many forms, stress is a very real problem. Concerned family members and caregivers are at a loss to make life better.

What is Individualized Music?

Recent studies using music therapy–particularly individualized music–have proven that music can play a key role in making life easier. Individualized music is music that has been a part of a person’s life and is based on personal preference

Why music works better than conversation.

As memory fades, so does one’s ability to process other sensory stimuli, thus an increase in stress and agitated behavior. Too often we assume the patient is simply overly demanding and should be able to control themselves. Music generally has a calming effect on others by changing the focus of attention If music chosen to play is familiar and associated with positive feelings, the music with have a soothing effect.

I does not take much time or effort to make a difference.

Just thirty minutes a day for two or three days a week has proven to make a significant difference in the anxiety level of the entire household. The family can be involved; children want to be helpful but are confused. Perhaps they can be in charge of playing music at a certain time, or sitting by the elderly person and listening with them.

Some tips in choosing the music:

1 Remember the music is for the patient, not you. If they cannot verbalize their preferences, choose music from their era or something you recall them singing or listening to.

2 Be cautious with volume; loud enough to hear, not so loud it grates on the nerves.

3. Vary the tunes, consider videos and audios. Find some perky children’s tunes that generate smiles and happy feelings.

4. Short periods of time will generally be more effective than too much music at one setting.

5. Not everyone responds to music therapy; be sensitive to the needs of each individual.

Whatever you do, music or other things, always serve with a smile. We all know, a genuine smile is good medicine for the giver as well as the recipient.

Hugs,

For a more detailed study by the World Journal of Psychiatry, click here.