IF LIFE GIVES YOU WRINKLES

Use wrinkle cream or only been seen under low light like candles. They soften the mood. Wrinkles are life's way of reminding us we have lived. Don't believe those people that say people from certain cultures  age better. They still show up in the hospital with hip fractures and dementia. And poor posture- all scooped over. The number of wrinkles on your face is not any indication of how healthy you are! The trick is to live!

DEMENTIA IS NOT A DIRTY WORD

In my professional and private life many people have trouble accepting someone they love actually has dementia. A little memory loss! Some cognitive decline! No it can't be dementia. Well, folks it is. Get the help you need and the understanding. I am not going to give some 5 minute definition- look it up on the Internet as there are lots of sites and definitions, symptoms and treatment plans. When someone withdraws from life, does not care about hygiene, not eating, not drinking, sleeping alot and often does not know who the hell you are then it is advanced. The understanding comes from forgiving the person for being so advanced and stop blaming the person for the behaviour. Just give love, support, understanding and allow the person to leave this earth with dignity and not contempt, criticism for refusing to accept any help from the caregivers.  People get old and get dementia. Remember the good times! Stop blaming the person and be angry at the disease! If you have someone with dementia, then patience and acceptance is important. Do you think dementia is a dirty word? Then shame on you!

YOU'VE GOT MAIL

We can receive mail in different forms. Email is fun but I still love the feel of sorting my mail- junk mail and all. It is like spam but I do not worry about a computer virus! Cards, bills, magazines and sometimes the odd letter makes its' way. Even a late Christmas Card arrived today that was sent Dec. 21/10. As a stamp collector, I still save the envelope with the stamp on it! It is even more exciting to receive a parcel! Door to door mail still occurs in older neighbourhoods. Since moving to this house in 1987, I have been going to my mailbox down the street so when a parcel arrives at my door it is a special occasion. Of course ordering online helps to keep bringing those parcels to my door. Letters saved from years of living can be a testament to those in our families. For decades I corresponded with an aunt in Edmonton. I have her letters in a little bundle. My mother does not write anymore due to her Dementia so her letters and cards remind me that there was a different time. Love letters, postcards and other written momentos arranged chronologically give a history that can be visited periodically. The correspondence can be part of the family history or arranged neatly in a scrapbook. Since I like the written word, I save significant emails as they too have valuable thoughts and family information. Do you like mail?