More from The Life of the Alzheimer’s Caregiver
He has memory problems. The things that he forgets are many:
- What happened a few moments ago, a few days ago, a few weeks ago
- How to get around their new apartment
- How to operate the new phone
- What time dinner is served
- Who these new people are.
But, as his wife talks with him, there are plenty of things he remembers. And he enjoys talking about the things he remembers although he does stumble over some of the details:
- The fishing trips to the White River just below Beaver Dam
- And the many stories of the mishaps and klutziness of his best friend Dan
- Or interesting details from their family vacations when the children were young
- And loads of stories from when he was a child
- As well as questions and concerns about his business, that he sold 10 years ago.
And so his wife, the caregiver, helps him remember. Sure, he forgets many of the more recent details, but as she guides him back to his happy place, he remembers.
And so does she.
Worth Repeating
We must welcome the future, remembering that it will soon be the past; and we must respect the past, remembering that it was once all that was humanly possible.
-George Santayana
