...
"Without Scottish Dementia Working Group, I wouldn’t be here now. I was very low before connecting but then I came to the group and saw people like me: we’re all people with dementia. The group gave me back my confidence and my sense of humour. I can’t remember what board I’m on there, but they say I’m doing important work. "I guess I must be because me – with dementia - was in charge of taking notes for this Forum! It’s just as well, because the professionals got it wrong. Professionals have such low expectations of us. Y’know since my diagnosis my idea of who and what’s important has changed. I go by my emotions now; I go by how you make me feel. "What helps with my brain fog? Naps and going to quiet place. (she takes out enormous headphones) I put these on when I need a quiet time. People think I’m listening to music. In shower, even the noise of force of water hurts, so I’ve learned how to stand and how to place the shower head. And I exercise! It oxygenates the brain."
Agnes Huston, Scottish Dementia Working Group (SDWG is a group run by people with dementia and funded by Comic Relief and Alzheimer Scotland)
...
"Meet the person where they are at that moment. Stress can cause an overactive or underactive immune system. "Foster the ability to let people care about you, and have compassion for yourself. Reduce negative emotions. Learn to ‘calm.' "Think of Stilling and Stimulating: Stilling = calming your inner self; Stimulating = joyfully improving mastery. "Cultivate positive emotions. This helps exploration and mastery. "Food’s important. And aromatherapy. "Reduce clutter (This came up several times. I didn’t realize how important reducing clutter is!) "Beautify surroundings. Walk! Keep social life active. Go and see live entertainment."
Dr. Mitchell Slutzky, Clinical Psychologist, New York, U.S.