Behind the smile
Behind the sweet smile. It took close to an hour to get my 91 year old mum-in law dressed. I would say it required team effort, together with the help of her grandson and granddaughter. We laid the new clothes on her bed. In between the process, she will ask a host of questions or make seemingly valid comments. Why do I need to change ? This is not my clothes. Let me go to the washroom first. I don’t want to change ! (looking at you in fear and holding tight to her clothes she’s wearing) What is wrong with what I’m wearing now ? Have you cooked dinner ? (walking out to the kitchen and opening the pots and pans) It’s getting late. If left on her own, she would have folded the prepared clothes and hung it back neatly into the cupboard and walked out of the room to take a cup of water, oblivious to all that had taken place seconds ago. Yes, it is true and real for someone who struggles with dementia. Every second is a whole new activity or event. They have no reco