Hannah Davies's look at it my way column: about dementia and enjoying the simple things in life
Look at it my way...Hannah Davies on caring for a loved-one with dementia
Simple pleasures, why don't I do these things more often? There are times I become so overwhelmed by the situation and my To Do list that I don't see the opportunities to make the more fulfilling things happen for Mum. This week there were two opportunities when I had the time, energy and imagination to stop just going through the routine and make the difference.
Last Sunday morning I called to check Mum had slept well and was awake early, as she often is, and then I picked her up and we went for a beautiful drive out to a favourite walking spot of ours: Pennard. It was too cold to walk along the cliff tops but we had a lovely hot breakfast and shared laughter as I reminisced about some of our walks over the years. It was lovely to spend such quality time with Mum and something that we haven't done for months; I have feared the early morning cold and wet over the winter months would affect her health, but Spring is in the air again.
Then on Wednesday as we were sitting having morning tea one of the carers in Mum's home asked if we wanted to arrange the fresh flowers in to vases. A very simple suggestion, but a perfect treat for Mum who used to help arrange the flowers in her local Church and has a passion for gardening second to none! It hadn't occurred to me to try flower arranging with Mum, but the professional carer saw an opportunity and we all jumped at it. It's the simple things that can make the big difference to a good life.
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Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
If you would like to share your experiences of caring email: Write-to-Hannah@hotmail.co.ukFor further information about the services and support available from the Alzheimer's Society visit www.alzheimers.org.uk or call 0300 2221122
2 Comments
by avondale
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 1:49PM
“As a Dementia suffer loses their short term memory, they enjoy things that take them to the days when they had a memory- old photos, old songs, old films, old haunts. It is called Reminiscence therapy”
by victor-mildew
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 12:14PM
“Always take time to smell life's flowers...literal or metaphorical.”
by AlisonT
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 10:36AM
“Isn't life strange? It isn't until illness, physical disability or learning disability affects someone in your family that all the "little" things that you once took for granted, like a walk or arranging flowers, suddenly become "big" things that make life wonderful. Maybe we should all begin to value the wonders of life more and not take things for granted.
Thank you Hannah for a thought provoking article. Best wishes to both you and your dear Mum”