Living in their world

2010 was one hec of a year. It was the year where Alzheimer's Disease really took hold of Valerie.

You have to live in their world, when the disease starts to get worse. If you don't, you won't make it as a caregiver.


Living in their world:


1. We come home and walk into the house. Val says, "There's a fire, we have to get out. There's smoke!"

I ask Val to wait on the front porch. I go in the house. 10 seconds later I come out and tell Val "it's ok Val, I put the fire out, it's safe to go in the house." "oh thank you!", Valerie says.


2. Get Out Your Not My Husband

I leave the house. I keep an eye on Val through the windows to make sure she's ok. I wait about 10 minutes and then call Val on the phone:

"Val I got the things you wanted at the store, but I don't have my house key, can you let me in?".

"Sure. thanks honey!"

It's that simple.

There are variations on those two stories, and it doesn't always work, you need patience too.