NOTE: I question whether this is in poor taste. I am not being cynical, making light of a problem, nor being humorous. I am exaggerating, but I am recognizing that this kind of problem exists. We need more medical research going into this problem rather than the money doled out to illnesses that can be helped or avoided by life changes. And God give us compassion for the caretakers involved. I have family and friends who have had to (and are presently having to) care for the people they love and I never cease to be amazed how much compassion they exhibit under extreme pressure. Sorry for the long introduction to this situation.
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Look carefully. Can you see that picture of me on the wall? That was when I had a thriving piano business. The old place is all gutted out now.
Mother helped many years. When she was 76 she decided to learn to play piano – there were plenty for practice! The years took their toll. Dementia attacked suddenly. I found her with a hammer as she set about making a planter out of one. I placed her in a rest home. (phone rings) Hold on a bit while I answer the phone……
The nurse caught mother with a hammer again.
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Written for Friday Fictioneers by Rochelle https://rochellewisoff.com/
PHOTO PROMPT © Anshu Bhojnagarwala
Sweet aroma 
That’s a real problem and although there have been very many advances in treating it up to a point, things still seem bleak
Right now the trend seems more toward “eliminating” the old as well as the pre-born and new born. Not looking good. That’s dismal, isn’t it?
Unfortunately you’re right. They want abortion, euthanasia, and embryonic stem cell research. They dare to claim their tactics are somehow superior to Hitler’s but I don’t see how
Your with me regarding this topic.
I giggled about the hammer, Oneta. Do NOT get me started on Big Pharma, insurance, today’s obvious principalities, powers, rulers of darkness of this age, spiritual hosts of wickedness…
I’ve thought perhaps I should have written a more humorous featuring a “drunk” instead of the “mental” problem. We still laugh at drunks, although the truth is that that is a terrible problem for caretakers too. But it is a behavior that can change. 😀
That’s true on all counts, Oneta. Although my girls and I grew up being taught that to make fun of those less fortunate, less capable than us is in poor taste, we all survived the roughs by employing sarcasm and mockery between us alone. I’m not always proud of the way we manage difficult circumstances, but I thank God for leading us through them together. My friend, your approach, your genuine warmth, and sensitivity make you feel like a sister.
Thanks as always, Roo. You are a jewel of a “sister.” As I mentioned below sometimes we have to have a sense of humor to cope.
“Laugh and the world laughs with you. Cry and you cry alone.” Even before Jesus became my best friend, that’s saying bothered me. I set out to prove it wrong. Film at eleven…
😀
Love this! 🙂
Thank you.
I’ve been working with memory care patients on a limited basis. We do a series of improvisation exercises whereby the residents can use their memory bank to draw from. It has been very interesting to see what they come up with. I believe drama is not only a great form of expression, but a good tool to exercise the mind. Love the post too. The hammer was funny. I can relate to this too as I took care of my mother in law as she went through this process.
I haven’t had that position because of distance involved from the situations. Those who have had sometimes exercise a great deal of humor to deal with persistent mis-behaviors.
Thanks for sharing.
I often wonder what does people who lose their memory think or perceive the word. Had seen one of our family friend, older than me, go through the different phases, from starting to full development of dementia, till her untimely death and the devotion of her husband for ten plus years of taking care for her.May God give more strength to the caregivers.
Sounds like my in-laws. Far past the time she recognized him, he would stand behind her chair any say: “This is the wife of my youth, and I will always love her.” It lasted nine years. She passed at 91 (I think); he lived to celebrate his one hundredth birthday. She is the lady I wrote about on March 3rd, https://onetahayes.com/2019/03/03/id-love-a-do-over/
Wow.
Lovely. And scary, all at the same time.
Yes, it is. I am sure there have been terrible cases of neglect and abuse to these ailing people, but I have seen some amazing love in the extreme also. Thanks for the comment.
Well said Oneta, its a sad reality of our times and you handled it in a sensitive way and as I always say, humor is my coping mechanism in life!!
One can find amazing love in unexpected places. As an on-looker I can not fathom such patience, faithfulness, and love. The people I have known have had a faith in the Lord but I’m sure others can cope amazingly well also. I just cannot speak for them.
Interesting take on this prompt. Very sad. Alzheimer’s sucks the life out of everything.
Different for sure. Very serious subject for a “weird” picture prompt. Thanks for the comment. I don’t remember having met you before. I hop over to do a bit of browsing if I can find you.
Well done.
Thank you, Dale.
This was a valid and thought-provoking entry. I saw a debate the other day. Maybe of interest. It was listing three main options . Govt suggestions. 1. Euthanasia 2. More medication to ‘keep the patient ? Happy 3. Stimulating and encouraging places where people with dementia are well cared for but in an environment where…..music, singing, dancing, drama, prayer and story telling are all not ‘extras’ but part of their daily lives. They conducted a trial on 2. and 3. Some were pressing’ for 1 without a trial oops too late if they were wrong.
Option 2 Zombies but compliant elderly.
.Option 3 has had startling results. The ones in the facility where people of faith led prayer times, dancers and musicians came for their section and actors and drama students involved every one in interactive drama. Not 100% for everyone but changes in expressions and obvious enjoyment of life was truly extraordinary. They had incidents where an old lady could not even remember her own name yet sang a whole song. A man who had previously just sat in a chair unmoving jumped up and recited a section of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. O God if only people of faith and vision could really see what a difference all sections of society could do to improve life for our seniors.It is written (in the Word) that when the body decays the spirit rises and becomes more and more This can be also true of. not just the spiritual but the mental as well.
Very interesting and #3 option is the hope for all people who have to put parents into other facilities. But it is done more often in display ads than in reality! Thanks for taking the time to give me a review of the study. I appreciate it. Maybe something more hopeful is coming down the pike. Hope so.
Ooops sorry Subject inspired my response. Your handling of this topic with humour was both clever and to be applauded. Thank you.
😀 Thanks. I certainly do appreciate informative comments.
There is something about that piano that she might not have liked. The hammer sure did give it a beating. Lol.
Maybe. Who can know what the mind remembers or wants when one can no longer communicate? Maybe she was fed up with piano practice. 😀