Tips for visiting someone with dementia

5 Nov, 2019 | Information, Personal Health

Avoid common pitfalls and make the most of your time together

“Mom, remember I mentioned that a few minutes ago?” I asked. “We just spoke about when I was coming to see you.”

It was a rookie mistake. Years ago, when my sharp mom started experiencing cognitive decline, I assumed she just wasn’t paying enough attention. So I did what most kids who want their parents to always stay the same did. I called her out for repeating herself. I figured if I reminded her not to forget, then she wouldn’t.

Ah, naiveté. She was simply doing what many older people do — they slow down and forget the details of their recent experiences. Mom could remember song lyrics from the 1940s without missing a beat, but her short-term memory wasn’t as available.

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