Dementia– by Louise

Do not try to correct him unless it is absolutely necessary.

For three days he refused to eat brisket, stew and cookies, anything that someone had given us. Then he happily ate everything again.

Hide his shoes and his medicine-he will understand that you loose things too.

Stick to simple routines-change is scary to him. But--you must be ready to change.

Have a thick skin-don't take it personal-go with what works.

Take a deep breath of love and courage, distract him.

Take a daily walk, it can be short - 'lets go look at that bush in the back yard.'

Keep him busy-untangle string-open jars and cans-old socks--'I need help.'

Have a wide rubber sleeve by his chair so he can stretch it-and a soft ball, a big button and string so he can make a spinner, like when he was a kid.

Sometimes you have to jump off the building--and build wings on the way down.

When you lie to help him you learn that's ok.

You don't deserve this-but he don't either.

Never speak to him--unless you are right in front of him and have his attention.

My brother, Stanley said that was a good idea--for everyone--all the time.

He always drove except when his eyes were dilated. I drove 'too far to the right.'

He had never ridden on the right, that put him so close, that he wasn't comfortable.

"Thief called and told me that he stole that five-gallon bucket of steel balls that I got from Junior, to shoot in my slingshot. He said that he was going to come back and get all my fiddles and two guitars. I had 26 guitars here in the house.”

"Don't call the Sheriff, he's on it too. I know his first name."

"I'll call the Texas Rangers and pay them to guard this house."

He wildly rushed to Walmart and bought four big locks and keys for the gates, never used them.