I wanted to stray from my usual posts and share resources especially to those caring for someone with Dementia. Here is a link to Teepa Snow, expert in dementia care, on managing dementia care int he time of covid-19:
I am a chaplain by profession and also was running the operations of a dementia care area in a retirement community, so please let me know how I can support you at this difficult time. I am happy to share more resources.
Not knowing what comes next
hurts my heart
This Poem is written in honor of everyone living with dementia, family, friends, and other care givers who are present with them.
—————
I know you will not remember me,
but you’ll remember the feeling.
All I can do is, be open to each moment,
and try to create moments of joy with you.
either I can see you as you are, or
try to hold on to the old image of you
and becoming angry or frustrated.
I choose to live in today with you,
even if you are living in yesterday,
but we get to relive it together
here and now.
all we have is this precious moment.
I choose to fill it with love.
glimpses of joy surround us, even midst confusion.
vague memories fade, when we sing and music enters
the soul with crisp clearness and words come out of your mouth.
moments of joy is all we have, whether we have dementia or not.
as I root myself in the moment, I realize that this is all we have
this very precious moment of here and now.
Your little snores make my heart soar.
I love you even when you throw your tantrums,
even when you fight sleep.
I love you, even when I get old and forget everything.
Remember I love you, when I act confused lost in my memories or feelings.
Love is the deepest memory hidden inside of us all.
long forgotten moments seem
more real than few minutes ago
imprisoned by my own mind
I forgot how to connect
————–
I wrote this poem during a break of Dementia Care training through Alzheimer’s Association.
Letters To A Young Spiritual Seeker 