My 92 year old infirm mother suffers from Alzheimer’s, Vascular Dementia and Parkinson’s which affects her mental capacity. She still knows who I am, but does not know my sons. She’ll ask me the same question over and over every 30 to 60 seconds. However, in small portions she can read. I’m unsure if she can retain anything she reads, but she can read.
During one visit she asked me what I had been doing and I told her that I had been to a ballroom dance class and had been waltzing to ”Moon River”. She asked me to sing it to her. I told her I didn’t know the words. Later I had an idea and printed out the lyrics to “Moon River” and “Edelweiss” from the Sound of Music.
Now my mother and I will sing together. I’ll get down next to her in her wheelchair, or next to her in the bed (she is in a skill care facility) and I will put my finger under the words as we sing together. She enjoys the singing and can read the words. Our singing together has been an oasis in a large desert.
Enjoy your loved ones in whatever capacity you can, while you can. Do not focus on what they can’t do, focus on what they can do that you both can relate to.
At the Law Firm of Steven Andrew Jackson, Attorney and Counsellor at Law, we have helped hundreds of families protect themselves and their loved ones, avoid Estate Taxes and Probate Costs, and keep their Estate Plans current with the law through The Customized Protective Estate Planning Solution™.