Posted 1/12/22
(I dig the date…looks like a little series again. 1…12…22…maybe 21 next, then back to 1? There are other options…)
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12
Hi all! I hope your weekend went well. 🙂 Sorry to NOT get to share Monday. I was in a clinical study at a research hospital Monday and Tuesday that precluded an article the week. It was/is very interesting as it looks at Statin drugs in terms of muscles, the body in general, and the brain. This study will be finished in November (for my part) and I will fill you in on the results as I receive them this fall. This week I also started a new longitudinal study (goes on for life) at Emory University’s ADRC in Atlanta. In case it isn’t obvious, I really want a cure…and I know you do as well.
My thought for today is driven by the current news in my life. We have had several great folks retire recently and have had a few others take employment elsewhere. When this happens, especially when you work in IT as I do, you are forced to play part amateur Archeologist and part Sherlock to retain their information. You work within incomplete stories to rebuild intention, vision, and many other important things as best we can. I suppose that if the employees were brand new and/or less front-line as far as a role, the amount of information that needs to pass on to the next employee for posterity is small or nonexistent. However, front-line, manager-types are the opposite. Everything in their work mind NEEDS to march on to the next folks. This data CAN easily go away without anyone knowing. The reality is,, when this happens, it is tragic for the advancement of the mission.
This applies to employees………and it applies to our loved ones with dementia as well. Brain loss is memory loss and memory loss is always tragic! Once something that exists only in the mind is gone, it is gone for good. (Captain ObviousPants Award here….). I think of the millions of memories of my mom, my Uncle Joe, and my grandma that will die with them because I have forgotten many of them. Would you accept some tips to help make this less terrible should you develop dementia (or be susceptible to it)?
- Document stuff. Make a Google Doc or similar and write an informal memoir, or at least an anthology of the stories..
- Print out at least some pictures and write names, dates, facts, and the like on the back…like they used to do.
- Talk about the stories with family and have them do the previous steps too
- Go ahead and share it, warts and all, so people can learn from the good, the bad, and the ugly.
- Make videos…maybe a YouTube Channel? You can restrict them to certain people if that makes you feel safer. It is a good idea. 🙂
- Make copies and keep them in a safe deposit box.
- Update regularly
- Use a workbook for planning and for saving key and important information that prompts you to remember things like passwords, account numbers, and other things that your posterity will scramble for later should you not be able to help with them. SeniorAge made a cool one: LINK
- Take a scrapbooking class at a local art store or community college. These can give your information a spruced up look and entice you to share more and more.
- Work with kids and grandkids on these projects. It is a great time of bonding…one that I would give all of my money for some time to do again with Mom.
- Be careful to keep private information safe. If you store anything online, be sure that it is encrypted. (Holler if you have questions on that…) Protect access passwords and share them with others. Set up password reset options that can be used in a pinch.
- Remember the alternative: creating stressed out little archeologists and Sherlocks trying for all they are worth to find the most basic information.
Bottom line: Pass on what needs to be passed on and everyone will be better for it, whether you are a co-worker moving on to another situation or…well, really, anyone. We need to good to get passed on and I know the good folks here. Share your light, friends. 🙂
#EndALZ
#RunninTilImPurple
Update: Mom is doing better after a bout with a cough. Covid is passing around the nursing home again and mom is no stranger to it already. I would love to see her avoid this viral visitor again. I will see her tonight and will update you again next time. 🙂










