tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218782774000780422.post4135654017528321185..comments2023-09-28T10:07:00.072-05:00Comments on michael a. horvich cares about alzheimer's disease: NeedsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218782774000780422.post-84187733196454114212015-08-22T11:14:40.261-05:002015-08-22T11:14:40.261-05:00Thanks Susan. For Gregory; to be loved, to feel sa...Thanks Susan. For Gregory; to be loved, to feel safe, to be comfortable physically and mentally seem to be the most important needs for Gregory. So in this way we go beyond the physical and do well with the mental and emotional. Many of the needs on the list presented in your blog are no longer important to Gregory at his stage of Dementia/Alzheimer's or do not apply. For Example: Resolve unfinished issues, in order to die in peace. (I believe he has done this already or no longer need to. I believe that Gregory really lives in the here and now and doesn't contemplate his death.) Live in peace. (I believe he is able to do this and we prove him with the peace to do so.) Restore a sense of equilibrium when aspects of self fail (e.g. sight, hearing, mobility, and memory). (Again, Gregory is mostly unaware of his losses at this point. This is what I mean by living comfortably.) Make sense out of unbearable reality: find a place that feels comfortable, where one feels in order or in harmony and where relationships are familiar. (He gets this from Lieberman, from visits of family and friends, from the care he receives from Manny. He get this from feeling safe, loved, and comfortable.) Be recognized and have status identity and self-worth. (I think treating him with respect satisfies this. I am not sure he "stews" abut his self-worth at this point.) Be useful and productive. (Again, I believe that Gregory's comfort and feeling safe is paramount in his needs. He led a very useful and productive life and now he needs to only deal with his very basic, primitive needs not ones like how successful he was or is.) Be listened to and respected. (Done.) Express feelings and be heard. (He can no longer express his feelings using language but certainly his responsive behaviors let us know if he is happy, sad, in pain, etc.) Be loved and feel a sense of belonging; have human contact. (I know he feels this and we give as much as possible.) Be nurtured, feel safe and secure, rather than immobilized and restrained. (Done and again probably the most important needs we can help him fill.) Have all five senses stimulated touch, sight, sound, smell, taste, and be allowed to express one’s sexuality. (All but the sexuality. He does not demonstrate any needs for that other then giving a "tongue kiss" now and then.) Reduce pain and discomfort. (Done.) 13. live joyfully, surrounded by laughter, love, music, fun and opportunities to connect with others in a meaningful way. (Definitely done!) Thanks for your blog!Michael Horvichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07128713159608301788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218782774000780422.post-57497384986026652072015-08-22T05:03:24.707-05:002015-08-22T05:03:24.707-05:00Yes, and I would suggest needs go beyond the physi...Yes, and I would suggest needs go beyond the physical; I blogged about it here:<br /><br />http://myalzheimersstory.com/2015/03/27/13-needs-we-share-with-people-who-have-dementia/amazingsusanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06004813788224627823noreply@blogger.com