Posted 2/12/19
Distractions are a huge challenge for mom. Whether it be too many drinks on her table, other people’s food too close to hers, too many audio or video inputs hitting her brain at once, or too many or too few stuffed animals on the piano, simple is better for her mind’s peace. Brains constantly make choices and evaluate risk based on available information and experiences…all day long. In an Alzheimer’s hampered brain, processing power is surely hindered because of lack of reference points, broken circuits and faulty or missing memories. Not unlike closing extra browser windows and shutting off Netflix on your computer when you need it to perform a task quickly, the Sweet 17 need a simple, unpolluted environment to thrive in communication and decision-making. Stimulation is great. Over-stimulation…not so much. Often mom’s memory unit has a TV on in one common area, a radio in another, mom playing some tunes, people coming and going and incessant beeping and nurse pages. This fact is surely a glaring positive case for living at home as long as possible with fewer stimuli. (Mom stayed home as long as we could possibly keep her safe, but sadly that ceased to be an option in the Fall. 🙁 ) I can empathize with these ladies because I too thrive on the simple. I sure could go for a nice weekend in a cabin in the woods somewhere…no internet. No TV. Sign me up. 😉
Another great day for mom. Her meds are going well, digestion is flowing like the Might Mississip (sorry), the atmosphere is actually a tad quieter lately, and she seems to have a decent if ill-timed sleep pattern. She even had a better bath than normal. It is good to have nothing bad to report. 🙂
#EndALZ
