Live and Laugh with Dementia: Junior and Eddie / Family photo

Summary

The website content tells two stories illustrating interactions between family members and their father, Eddie, who has dementia, emphasizing the importance of maintaining mental and relationship connections through engaging activities and understanding.

Abstract

The provided web content delves into the nuanced experiences of a family caring for Eddie, an elderly man with dementia. Through the poignant stories of "Junior and Eddie" and "Family Photo," the narrative showcases the delicate balance of communication and recognition within the family dynamic. The content also promotes the book "Live and Laugh with Dementia" by Lee-Fay Low, which advocates for the mental and social engagement of individuals with dementia to enhance their quality of life. The stories highlight the significance of adapting activities and interactions to the needs and abilities of the person with dementia, suggesting that these moments can be both memorable and joyful, despite the challenges posed by the condition.

Opinions

The author believes in the power of maintaining mental and social engagement for individuals with dementia to preserve their quality of life.
There is an underlying appreciation for the genetic inheritance of good genes, as evidenced by Junior's thoughts about his father's wrinkle-free face.
The stories reflect a sense of patience and understanding required when interacting with someone who has dementia, particularly in the face of confusion or anger.
The author emphasizes the value of cherishing and learning from the special moments shared with a person with dementia.
There is a subtle encouragement for readers to support the author's writing through a membership referral, indicating a desire for community engagement and support for creative work.

Live and Laugh with Dementia: Junior and Eddie / Family photo

Story 1: Junior and Eddie

“Come in, he’s in the living room” and she pointed to the door on the left. Junior smiled at his sister, gave her a hug, and walked through the door and into the living room. His father sat by the window, eyes closed. Junior selected a chair opposite his father, and sat down. At eighty-five Eddie’s face was wrinkle free. Thank God I have his genes thought Junior. As if hearing his son’s thoughts, Eddie opened his eyes. They stared at each other in silence. Junior smiled. His father looked uneasy. He asked “What is your name?” Junior replied “Eddie”. Surprise washed over his father’s face. Then his eyes narrowed. Silence. Junior asked “What is your name? Eddie replied “Junior”.

FEATURE BOOK

Live and laugh with dementia: the essential guide to maintaining quality of life. By Lee-Fay Low says…

We exercise our body’s muscles to keep them strong, flexible and working well. Similarly, we need to be exercising our mental muscles (our brain) to keep them strong, flexible and working well. We also need to keep exercising our relationship muscles (our social networks and friendships) to keep them strong, flexible and working well. This is what Live and Laugh with Dementia is all about — strengthening and maintaining the mental and relationship muscles of the person with dementia for whom you care. The engaging philosophy and the suggested activities in this book will, I hope, help you provide positive experiences for that person. I need you to add two key ingredients to the information in this book: your knowledge about the person with dementia, and your creativity in selecting and modifying activities.

Story 2: Family Photo

She looked at her father. His gaze was on her brother, as he tap-tapped away on his laptop. She wondered why father looked annoyed. “Are you ok?” she asked. Silence. Her brother stopped his tap-tapping. “Anyone want a cuppa?” he asked. “No thanks” she said. Junior looked at father. Silence. “Do you want a cuppa?” he asked. In a gruff voice their father said “No”. Placing his laptop on the table, Junior stood and left the room.

In a soft voice she said to her father “You are usually in bed by 10pm. Are you ok?” Eddie looked at his daughter and with anger in his voice said “It’s late. Tell him to go home”. Realisation dawned. She smiled. As her father glared at her, she turned her head towards the old family photo hanging on the wall. His gaze followed. She said “See that boy standing beside you?” She looked back at her father. After a moment his gaze left the photo and settled on her. With confusion in his eyes he asked “Junior?”. She smiled and nodded.

Junior re-entered the room, cuppa in hand, smiled at Eddie, sat down, picked up his laptop and continued with his tap-tap-tapping. Out of the corner of her eyes, she watched father look at Junior, look at the old family photo, look back at Junior. After a moment Eddie said “I’m going to bed. Goodnight”.

There are so many deliciously memorable moments living with, caring for someone with dementia. Take note of those precious times and learn from them, enjoy them, be kind to them. Live and laugh with dementia.

Thank you for reading Live and Laugh with Dementia. Have a fabulous week.

If you enjoyed Live and Laugh with Dementia: Junior and Eddie / Family photo check out the links below for more Living with Dementia moments.

Live and Laugh with Dementia: Do you see what I see? Live and Laugh with Dementia: Want a cuppa? Health and Wellbeing Living with Dementia Live and laugh with dementia Live and Laugh with Dementia: What’s the time?

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