Body Memory

The fine tuning that becomes necessary to care for a person with Alzheimer's can be tricky but also can be very helpful. At a certain point there is no use in trying to explain, teach, show, demonstrate. But "just doing it for them" doesn't always seem right either. 

The body remembers many things that the conscious mind seems to have forgotten.  These "body memories" can be used to to one's advantage. They can help someone with dementia begin or continue an activity. At meal time, for example, try handing over a fork to begin the eating process if your loved one simply sits and stares at the plate. Instead of asking, "Did you brush your teeth?" give a toothbrush with the paste already on it, while standing in front of a sink with the water running. Sometimes just getting started can be enough to enable him or her to complete the task. Having read these helpful hints got me to thinking about what else I can to to help Gregory's day run smoothly.