What are our families saying?
"I wanted to share my recent experience from a patio visit with my mother. As you know, there are times when she, like any dementia patient, can be the sweetest and most enjoyable person to spend time with. Then there are other times when a completely different side emerges... Mom was accusatory and angry... thought I'd taken her rings from her room... and other things.
Josie was awesome; kept directing her to other topics. I wish I could have been as gracious. It's not always easy to take all the insults and not respond, especially as I was not feeling well. After a while, Josie suggested Mom return to her room or another activity, which she did. But Josie asked me to remain behind and sat for a long time, reassuring me that this was 'one of those times' and not to take it to heart, and then kindly gave me such affirmation that we were truly doing our loving best to ensure the best care for Mom. It was hard not to cry...sometimes you do everything you can, and it still feels like falling short. Josie's words helped me value our actions more clearly.
It's not easy being a caregiver!! I'm happy to report that I've had multiple phone calls with Mom the past two days and they've all been positive. I've followed Josie's advice about changing erroneous subjects to positive ones so she doesn't 'go down the negative rabbit hole.' It has really helped. And the kind and observant things Josie shared with me two days ago gave me some healing I wasn't even aware I needed. I realize she's a young person...but she truly has the heart and soul of someone who has been doing this job for a very long time."
-- Nancy
