 | Rev. Bill Shook has been with Prairie Homestead Retirement Center for 27 years. 26 of those years he has acted as the Administrator. He retired in March 2006 but is still involved with the organization in a consultant role. Over the 27 years of service he developed the retirement community into a continuing care facility. As a continuing care facility retirees can come in at any level of independence and live out their lives on the campus. Rev. Shook holds many degrees, has served in numerous advisory positions and is licensed as a Nursing Home Administrator. He helped start and acted as the Administrator of Homestead Health Center nursing facility for a number of years along with being the Administrator of Prairie Homestead. Rev. Shook can be reached at the Prairie Homestead office, 316-263-8264 or by email at abei@websurf.net |
Senior Living
2007-01-01 16:20:00
Loved ones and memory loss
I've noticed that my mother who lives with us is getting more confused as time goes on. I don't know if it is Alzheimer's, but I do know that if it is, there will probably be a time when we can no longer care for her in our home. In the meantime, however, I was wondering if you could tell me some things I might do to assist in preserving her memory.
ANSWER: It is personally hard to see those we love begin to be confused and experience memory loss changes. There are medications which can help to slow down the process, but there are also some things you can do right at home to help her keep the memory she still has. Even though the next several are common knowledge, I would be remiss if I did not mention them. Eating nutritiously will enable both her mind and her body to work at their peak possible level. Exercise is important for us all. If the weather permits, go along with her on a leisurely walk. Fresh air assists both mentally and physically. To deal with inclement weather, join a gym. Many of them have specific fitness programs for those who are aging. Her getting a good night's rest will do much to allow every brain cell to operate at its full capacity. I don't know if your mother consumes alcohol, but there are some studies to show it is important for her to limit that habit. Now for some possible fresh ideas. Insofar as daily activities around the house, encourage her to write a note to herself and/or to make a list each morning of the tasks she wants to accomplish during that day. Writing is a way to keep the mind working. You can provide her with some fancy stationery so she can write letters to family and friends. Reading is also a continued important hobby. Perhaps an afternoon visit to the local library where she can pick out her own books would be good. Pick up some crossword puzzle books at the local supermarket for her to work on. I would suggest one of the Sudoku puzzle books; however, those are a challenge for even those whose mental condition is tip top. Talk to her frequently and include her in the conversation. Say things like, "Hey Mom, can you believe it is already Wednesday, January 3?" Or, "Mom, look what time it is, 11:30 a.m. already?" Mention your own name, the names of her children, and the names of your children often. Talk in simple terms and rephrase anything your mother doesn't seem to understand. Keep pictures of her family and friends in a convenient place where she can look at them. Write names on the photos. Just seeing their name helps to pull that person back into memory. Talk with her about the fun activities and times she shared with that person. Help her understand that those activities will remain cherished memories forever. Describe events that have already happened and those that are scheduled to happen that day and in the future. Here is an idea that will keep your brain cells fresh also. Come up with suggestions that will assist her in remembering words. An example I read about recently is someone who came up with the first letter of each of the Great Lakes to help their loved one remember the word HOMES: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior. Place labels on drawers and shelves that will identify what is in and on them. You may even need to draw words or pictures on these labels. Since you may already make many decisions for your mother, this may not be an issue but, insofar as possible, eliminate the need for her to make decisions. Probably the most important thing to remember is to avoid frustrating her. Thus, if you need to make any changes to your mother's daily schedule, do it in a gradual fashion. If you are going to be apart from her, whether someone is coming in or you are going to take her someplace else, be sure to allow time for her to mentally process that change. Probably the hardest part of all of this is to be patient and supportive. You, yourself, may need some group or counseling assistance in order to be able to do this, so remember to also take care of yourself.
