Dad lined up his phone, pencils, notepad, Rolodex, and tissue box on a side table in his room at the nursing home. As if checking inventory, he straightened each item, one after another, working his way down the line before running through them again. As words and ideas kept slipping away, he tried to lash his mind to familiar, everyday items, naming and touching them to stay connected with the present.
A few days later, a series of medical issues landed him in another facility; dementia seemed to be accelerating, leaving him confused and agitated. Dad didn’t have his lineup of familiar items at the new place, but he reviewed old memories with my brother and repeated several phrases, including lines of poetry from Shakespeare and Dylan Thomas. Though his mind couldn’t access certain names, numbers, or dates, he could still recount 80-year-old memories and recite poetry memorized in his youth.
Molly Middleton Meyer, founder of Mind’s Eye Poetry, works with people like my dad—including patients who have experienced far greater memory loss—using poetry to awaken memories and tap into their imagination.
Meyer lost both of her parents to Alzheimer’s. As their disease progressed, she grew frustrated witnessing the activities typically provided at care facilities. Hoping to offer a more lively and respectful alternative, Meyer drew from her own background as a poet and writer to develop a method of poetry facilitation that connects with patients and engages their minds and memories to create poems on the spot.
For about an hour, she meets with these patients and invites conversation, using sensory materials, recitation, and open-ended questions. The resulting stories and snippets are used to compose three to six poems.
Meyer reports that some residents who come to her sessions haven’t spoken in days or even weeks. “During the facilitation, it is not uncommon for them to suddenly ‘wake up’ and begin adding relevant words, phrases, and even complete memories to the conversation. When I see the astounded expression on the faces of the regular caregivers, I know something remarkable has happened.”
She writes, “People with dementia still possess the ability to laugh, think, create, and authentically enjoy living in the moment. They deserve challenging, empowering, dignifying interactions.”
My dad struggles to recall the name of his primary care physician or the day’s date, but he can still recite lines from Robert Southey’s The Battle of Blenheim and describe the small town Fourth of July parade he watched as a little boy, where he waved at the two or three remaining Civil War Veterans who marched past in uniform. It’s still in there. The poetry, the memories, the images. He can see them with his mind’s eye.
Dancing Colors, After Chihuly
In the glass forest,
the dancing branches
of the flaming tree
twist and curl.
I see crackling
daffodils, blue-green
spikes of fire.
I see the forest’s
reflection.
reflection.
I see the forest’s
spikes of fire.
Daffodils, blue-green.
I see crackling.
Twist and curl,
of the flaming tree.
The dancing branches,
in the glass forest.
— Mitsu, Allean, Randy, Glen, Katherine, Pat, Rosemary, Hazel, Mary Lou, Mimi, Elsie, Wayne, Susan, Mary Jane, and Doris
Arbor House, Lewisville, TX
© Mind’s Eye Poetry, 2014, used with permission.
Learn more about Mind’s Eye Poetry
Visit Mind’s Eye Poetry on Facebook
3 Lifestyle Changes that Can Help Prevent (and Possibly Reverse) Dementia
By Heart: Because You Might Need it Like Marie Ponsot
Photo by Broo_am (Andy B), Creative Commons license via Flickr. Post by Ann Kroeker, writing coach and co-author of On Being a Writer: 12 Simple Habits for a Writing Life that Lasts.
______________________________
How to Write a Poem uses images like the buzz, the switch, the wave—from the Billy Collins poem “Introduction to Poetry”—to guide writers into new ways of writing poems. Excellent teaching tool. Anthology and prompts included.
“How to Write a Poem is a classroom must-have.”
—Callie Feyen, English Teacher, Maryland
- Life Notes: Tea is Necessary - February 3, 2017
- Interview with an English Teacher, Pt 2: The Heroic in Literature - January 27, 2017
- Interview with an English Teacher, Pt 1: Texts and Teaching - January 20, 2017
Maureen says
Thank you, Ann, for writing about this wonderful program. The use of music and visual art to help patients with dementias is increasingly common; the use of poetry, not so much.
It’s not hard to understand what giving back the gift of words means to those who have experienced silence for so long, and to their loved ones who suffer with them. My hope is that Meyer’s work will be replicated widely.
There is such poignancy in the poem of those many voices.
Molly Middleton Meyer says
Thank you, Maureen. I am privileged to work with people who are living with dementia. I developed my poetry program as a means of making connection, engaging, creatively stimulating, and empowering my participants. After facilitating poetry with hundreds of people, I am still amazed by the stunning poetry created even in the midst of illness.
L. L. Barkat says
Molly, I suddenly remembered last night that we’ve highlighted your work in our book by Tania Runyan: ‘How to Write a Poem.’ We want others to be inspired by what you’re doing and perhaps try it in their own communities.
Molly Middleton Meyer says
That’s fantastic! Where can I read what was written? Is there a link, or is it only available in book form?
Ann Kroeker says
Here’s our Amazon Affiliate link to How to Write a Poem: http://amzn.to/1WzgJ8T 🙂 (You can buy it any way you like, of course!).
L. L. Barkat says
Molly, it’s in a section about how to share poetry, under the subsection “Public Events and Community Service.” This is what it says:
Assisted Living Centers and Alzheimer’s Patients
Contact the Activities Director at a local assisted living center and offer to run a poetry reading club. Read classics that all ages will remember from their school days (think Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, and Robert Frost), share your own work, and offer residents an opportunity to write and read their own pieces as well.
Don’t underestimate the power of poetry for people of all stages of life. Molly Middleton Meyer, founder of Mind’s Eye Poetry: Rewriting Dementia, facilitates poetry-writing with Alzheimer’s “poet/patients” around the country. Meyer writes on her site mindseyepoetry.com, “I turn…memories and imaginings into poems using their ideas, phrases, words, and even non-verbal cues. The resulting poems are stunning—testaments to the human desire for creative expression.”
Ann Kroeker says
We’re delighted to highlight Mind’s Eye Poetry and Molly’s work, awakening these patients and helping them engage through words and memories.
Thanks for jumping in here, Molly. We love what you’re doing. You’ve inspired me to see how I might encourage my dad to tap into all that memorized poetry. His dementia has not progressed too far, so he is fully capable of engaging in interesting conversations about topics of interest.
New things to try.
Molly Middleton Meyer says
Music to my ears. Ann. Feel free to contact me any time if I can offer insight into what has worked for me. It’s been a beautiful journey of trial and error. Please keep me updated if you try some of the techniques with your dad. I’d love to know his response and your thoughts. Thank you, again, for the beautifully written article.
Bethany says
Thank you for sharing these beautiful words, Ann. What encouraging work Mind’s Eye Poetry is doing. Love Meyer’s ingenuity to engage and honor patients by creating art with them.
Ann Kroeker says
I agree. As a writer and writing coach, I can imagine how effective this must be. But I’d want her to train me before I tried to pull it off. Seeing the video helped a lot.
Reading the samples poems at her website helped me imagine how to put things together at the end of a session.
Bethany says
Yes, that video was eye-opening. Truly lovely how she opens up space for people to share in the poem-creation process together. There’s such a richness in each life, and seeing how she stirs the memories of them all together is beautiful.
Molly Middleton Meyer says
Thank you, Bethany. I am privileged to work with such a responsive, appreciative, loving group of individuals.
Donna says
I can only imagine that it was so difficult for your dad to be taken away from his familiar surroundings, and his important items. It must have felt so confusing for him.
As you know, I’ve had my share of Lyme induced memory issues. Not too long ago I was telling someone that maybe my home is like a scrapbook, and maybe when we move away from it I will forget everything about my life here… it scares me, anticipating this possible loss. I know that is completely unrelated to the purpose of this beautiful program, but it touched me in such a personal way – the recipe box as a memory box. Just this week I thought maybe I will jot down a descriptive poem or phrase every day to take with me – maybe that will help me hold on to my own memories. Interesting timing with this idea and your wonderful piece, isn’t it? 😉
As for Mind’s Eye Poetry, what a tender and loving program … born out of such grief and loss. So much healing for the creator, and so much opportunity through this kind of mental activity, and social activity for each participant – truly beautiful, all the way around. This is a truly meaningful, dignified, and respectful way of interacting with Alzheimer’s patients – words can’t even express how remarkable I think this is. My guess is that the families of the poets treasure these works, and so the ripple effects radiate on and on. Thank you SO much for sharing this, Ann. Beautifully written.
Ann Kroeker says
Donna, I could imagine this being equally powerful for anyone struggling with memory issues, for any reason–including Lyme. Your idea to write down a poem or phrase each day seems simple and inspired. Are you auditory? I wonder if memorizing a few lines of poetry might also be a lovely way to carry the rhythm and images with you if you have some moments of frustration and need grounding?
Donna says
Thanks. That’s interesting. 🙂 I may try that.
Your suggestion, Maureen’s comment, and Mind’s Eye reminded me of this device I had heard about – music is used to trigger memories of specific people when they enter a room. Google and I found the link – it’s pretty cool. http://www.fastcoexist.com/3040245/this-device-triggers-memories-in-alzheimers-patients-by-playing-music-they-remember
Ann Kroeker says
So beautiful! I was trying to get my dad to calm down one day and said, “Didn’t your mom sing hymns when you were little?” Then I started singing the line of a really old one that he used to sing when he was imitating her, and it kicked in. He could sing almost the entire song (I had to grab my phone and look up the lyrics!). He isn’t even a religious guy, but it was about the music memory and the connection with his mom.
Donna says
Wow. Music holds so many keys, Ann. This is such a powerful story here. xo
Molly Middleton Meyer says
Donna, I’m so glad the article touched you at just the right time. It’s my greatest joy to connect with people through what has become my mission. I can only imagine what you must be feeling regarding your own situation–the loss, the sadness, the fear. I think your idea is inspired. Jot down those poems and phrases. If I can be of help to you in any way, please feel free to contact me at mollymiddletonmeyer@gmail.com
Donna says
Thank you Molly. Thank you. 🙂
Sandra Heska King says
So now I’m all weepy.
I wish I’d done this with my mom in hospice. She didn’t have dementia, except what might have come talking with the tumor. But she used to write poetry. I think it would have been a precious time for us–maybe while we were making fun of the word tests she’d get frustrated (and mad) with being asked to take. “If we’re going to the beach, we’ll need to pack______.” Also the fact that Molly’s dad and my mom passed the same year gave me pause.
I remember how the doctor’s said my father-in-law was, in part, forgetful of recent events because his brain was so packed with memories from over the years. I wonder if we can get those memories out on paper, we’ll have room to retain new ones. I love what Molly said in the video, that “poetry is a way of verbalizing my soul.”
I need to memorize more poetry. Thanks for this, Ann. Give your dad a hug from me. And thank you, Molly, for your beautiful spirit and the way you are giving from your own grief.
Ann Kroeker says
Thank you for sharing these tender memories and feelings. It’s so hard to know what to do at any moment in the process of caring for our parents. It sounds like you and your mom enjoyed making fun of the tests–there’s a kind of creative poetry in humor as we play with words. You were igniting her mind in those moments!
Regarding your dad…what an interesting idea–getting memories out on paper to make room to retain new ones. Hmmm….
And finally, your desire to memorize poetry? Let’s do it. Let’s lock it in so we have it for later.
Molly Middleton Meyer says
Sandra, living with that regret is so hard. Every day I connect with people who are living with dementia. They laugh, create, and genuinely feel empowered by the process. To date, I’ve facilitated 500+ poems, and yet I never wrote a single poem with my parents. I’ve learned to forgive myself. As they say, “you only know what you know.” Still, those missed opportunities can be haunting, can’t they?
L. L. Barkat says
I love this idea for so many reasons. The dignity of it. The hope. The beauty.
I am currently watching someone go through just what you mentioned about your dad (uncanny, the arrangement of items process… I hadn’t realized it’s a “thing.” It was something I noticed during a last visit and it seemed so unusual to me. Maybe there’s something more to it, as well? I’d love to know.)
Anyway, so it’s always been something I care about deeply and now of course I feel even more keenly about it, watching this person’s drifting away. I hadn’t planned a post on dementia prevention to coincide with this one, but that’s exactly what happened (link added into the post, Ann 🙂 ). We need a holistic approach that looks at many aspects of lifestyle. Especially concerning that loss of working memory and inability to lay down new memories that you were pinpointing, Ann. There are things that can be done. It’s part of my personal mission to make these things better known. (Some of the new brain research is truly stunning, regarding ways to both prevent neuron death and catalyze new neuron growth. I can’t get it off my mind.)
Thanks, Ann, for sharing this all so tenderly. And Molly, to you for your great vision and care.
Ann Kroeker says
That arranging of items seemed sort of OCD, but he has never seemed to exhibit those tendencies. He does like order and control, and if everything he’s known is slipping away, and all his words are harder and harder to reach, maybe knowing exactly where the tissue box is and what it’s for can help steady a person.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with our readers. We can encourage and engage with people who have already developed dementia or Alzheimer’s, and we can stave off the disease in ourselves…or try to.
L. L. Barkat says
Ann, the research specifically on green tea is particularly exciting. The compounds in it can cross the blood-brain barrier and do some repair. I linked to this in the post, because for those who are willing to look a little deeper it has eye-opening information about how dementia and Alzheimer’s actually develop and the role that green tea can have in not only halting the disease in some but possibly even reversing it in others. Too amazing not to share:
http://www.lifeextension.com/Magazine/2014/8/How-Green-Tea-Protects-Against-Alzheimers-Disease/Page-01
Ann Kroeker says
What a delicious way to be healthy!
Laura Brown says
What advice can you offer from your own green tea quest to point me to the ones worth drinking (knowing that your tastes and mine might be different), or to help me in my quest?
Ann Kroeker says
Oh, I hope L.L. weighs in on this! One of my daughters is searching for the best green tea, too. She likes PG Tips brand.
Laura (L.L.) Barkat says
Hmmm. Taste is such a personal thing. And mine is partly seasonal. But green teas (or green & white combinations—because white has all the benefits of green) I have loved are:
1. David’s Tea—Buddha Blend
2. Mighty Leaf Spring Jasmine
3. Mighty Leaf Tropical
4. Mighty Leaf White Orchard
5. Mariage Freres Thé Opera
6. Palais des Thés Thé des Alizes Green Tea with Peach
7. Republic of Tea Green Earl Greyer (in Summer I like to add a sprig of fresh mint to this one and it can make a nice iced tea then)
On the whole, I don’t recommend ordinary green teas that are less expensive, as they tend to be bitter and kinda tasteless. Also, to make the best cup of green tea, be sure to use water that hasn’t reached a full boil and then use a 3-minute timer when steeping (to avoid making the tea bitter).
L. L. Barkat says
Ann, I just added the link to this report in my own post (80 pages of fascinating, if hard reading from the Alzheimer’s Association, about dementias)
http://www.alz.org/downloads/Facts_Figures_2014.pdf
Here’s the thing… lifestyle is a bigger factor than genetics (it’s not just about *trying* to stave it off; there is real hope). If we have heart disease or diabetes, dementia becomes a higher risk. The good news is that through lifestyle changes we can deal with these facilitating diseases and greatly reduce our risk.
L. L. Barkat says
From the report:
“Many factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease are also associated with a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other dementias. These factors include smoking, obesity (especially in midlife), diabetes, high cholesterol in midlife and hypertension in midlife.
Conversely, factors that protect the heart may also protect the brain and reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Physical
activity appears to be one of these factors. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that consuming a diet that benefits the heart, such as one that is low in saturated fats and rich in vegetables and vegetable-based oils, may be associated with reduced Alzheimer’s and dementia risk.”
Ann Kroeker says
Thanks for all the helpful information!
Molly Middleton Meyer says
Thank you, L.L., for your comments. I couldn’t agree more about needing a holistic approach, one that is humane and allows for dignity. Please keep this issue on your mind. We need every mind possible working toward stemming the tide of a disease that has reached epidemic proportions.
L. L. Barkat says
Molly, to what do you think we can attribute the “epidemic proportions”? Is it the connection to heart disease and hypertension, or something else?
Rick Maxson says
Thank you for bringing this to us, Ann. In 2006 my father succumbed to Alzheimer’s after three years. Molly, this is such an amazing application of poetry. Two things said in the video struck me: “Poetry to me is a way of verbalize my soul.” And then the acute perception of: “I don’t know who the person was before. I just interact with who they are now.”
I could see how this works to build memories and interaction in the brief minutes of the video. I wish Mind’s Eye Poetry had been available to my father.
My brother is now struggling with severe schizophrenia, trying to realize an identity in a world where even simple things are no longer simple. It seems this program could possibly work to focus minds affected by schizophrenia as well.
Ann Kroeker says
I’ll bet it could, Rick. For that hour of composing poetry together, I’ll bet it could reach a lot of minds that are not functioning like they used to.
Molly Middleton Meyer says
Rick, I appreciate your kind remarks. I, too, wish a program like mine had been available to your father. I wish engaging, creatively stimulating, and empowering programs were available for everyone affected with dementia. I am on a mission to do what I can to change perceptions and priorities. I agree that poetry facilitation could be used in a variety of situations–Hospice, mental health, drug and alcohol addiction, and with any population of people in grief or crisis. Poetry can, indeed, heal as well as (or if not better than), most medications.
Sharon A Gibbs says
Ann,
What an exquisite post!
When I was a young woman, I saw the hurt sink into my dad’s eyes as my grandfather stared blankly at him, not knowing his name or their wonderful history.
Years later, in my work with dementia patients, I honored these mothers, fathers, teachers and coaches as I tried to connect through their disconnects. I remember a sweet lady, Connie, who sat in her wheelchair, lips moving, and her right thumb and index finger clasped together as she penned in the air — “writing on the chalkboard.” She used to be a high school English teacher.
Oh, if I had known about writing and poetry as a way to tap into their souls!
Thank you for highlighting Molly’s beautiful work.
Molly, what a perfect example of using pain and grief to create something so amazing. Thank you.
Ann Kroeker says
Wow, your own experiences are inspiring, Sharon! That reminds me of one of your posts, about Lucy. In case one of our commenters would enjoy that read, I’ll post the link to it here, because I remember how powerful it was when I first read it: http://sharonagibbs.com/her-world-looked-better-than-her-reality/
Molly Middleton Meyer says
Sharon, I absolutely love your philosophy, “connect through their disconnects.” You may not have known about poetry, but I have no doubt that your willingness to be present with them and dignify their personhood tapped into their souls.
Debara Torbenson says
Where can your book be ordered or purchased?
Ann Kroeker says
Debara, do you mean the book How to Write a Poem? You can purchase it through Amazon: http://amzn.to/1WzgJ8T
Elizabeth says
Thank you Laura and Ann. Laura for pointing me to Ann’s post and Ann for highlighting Molly’s beautiful project.
Recent when I was visiting my mother who suffers from Dementia (she’s in her 8th year of living with the disease) I sat and chatted with one of the care-givers. My mother had written a poetry chapbook, a beautiful and poignant collection written pre-diagnosis which they often read together. Amber shared with me that she’doesn’t recently read a poem with Momma about the loss of a child. Mom had miscarried a baby and capture her pain and grief in a poem. Amber struggled with whether or not she should have read this particular poem as it dredged up grief. I assured her it was therapeutic, important and provided healing for my mother. Poetry is one of the few things which connects her to the past and to her art.
Ann I can empathize deeply with you. And I do.
This is a difficult journey for family, care-givers and dementia sufferers.
Molly, I look forward to exploring more of your words on the healing aspects of poetry.
I’ve forwarded this to my Dad and sister. We all know the power of poetry in my family. And are grateful mom penned many details of her childhood and indeed, her life onto the pages of her writing.
Thankful, so very grateful, for the healing it has brought her and the healing it is bringing others with this life-altering disease.
Elizabeth says
I think auto correct had a field day when I was writing my previous comment …on my mobile device. Geesh!!!
My sister received the forwarded post and has replied, saying “I wish someone would do this with mom”. Thank you again Molly, Ann and Laura. I cannot stop thinking about this project and your video at the care facility.
Ann Kroeker says
No problem on the autocorrects–my brain autocorrected them to what you intended!
It sounds like you found a portal for your mom in her own words. I’m sure that was therapeutic. Thanks for sharing that approach with her.
Callie Feyen says
I have tears in my eyes after reading this, Ann: “My dad struggles to recall the name of his primary care physician or the day’s date, but he can still recite lines from Robert Southey’s The Battle of Blenheim and describe the small town Fourth of July parade he watched as a little boy, where he waved at the two or three remaining Civil War Veterans who marched past in uniform. It’s still in there. The poetry, the memories, the images.” Startling and hopeful.
My 8th graders read sonnets that they wrote to the Kindergarteners our school, and for 30 minutes these two age groups were making friends over iambic pentameter, rhyme, and imaginary creatures (we based our poems on Mercutio’s Queen Mab sonnet). This class (my 8th graders) is rough around the edges but when they are around, experiencing, or interacting with poetry they transform. Poetry has a healing factor, I guess is what I’m trying to say here, and why your piece resonated with me so much. Thank you.
L. L. Barkat says
Callie, your work is so important, yes? But even for their futures so, so far down the line.
Your comment reminded me of this wonderful post about the poet Marie Ponsot, who had a stroke and was only able to regain language through words memorized in the past…
https://www.tweetspeakpoetry.com/2011/11/16/by-heart-because-youll-need-it/
Ann Kroeker says
I agree with what L.L. is saying–you’re laying the groundwork for their future. Crossing over age gaps and helping them transform? That’s magical.
Callie Feyen says
Thank you to both of you for your kind words. I owe a lot of how I teach and how I attend to stories and words to Tweetspeak. This is a great place to be.
Janet Macy says
Thank you Ann and rest of you for your responses. This is so enlightening.
In the last 11 months both of my parents have died. Dad (94) from dementia and Mom (93) 5 months following a stroke.
I’ve spent the last 2 years flying or driving from KS to western NY and back helping. I had just retired as a RN 1 month prior to their declines in health. That, I believe, was a ‘God thing’.
Dad did not realize he couldn’t remember. Mom realized she wasn’t remembering. Which I thought was interesting. Between my 2 siblings & I, we kept them out of the nursing home over a year.
They never had a TV. They read, wrote, walked, sang, played dominos and my mom played her organ every day. She found it soothed Dad, plus she loved it. She was still playing the organ at church at age 92.
Mom had written several poems. She had written 7 hymn type songs – lyrics & music and had 3 more she was working on when she had her stroke. The stroke only affected her language area. She couldn’t read, write, play her organ or say our names. She could ambulate. One day she told me, as she pointed to her head, ‘the music is still up there’. So we tried working on it. Problem: she couldn’t carry a tune and I couldn’t figure it out.
I did notice she could say some things by rote. The OT would ask her who I was. She’d say, ‘June’ (her sister). She’d look at me and look at me and in total frustration she’d say, “Janet (my name) help me out here!” I’m sure there is a term for that.
OT did some other things that I thought was useless. The’D show her a picture of a mug & ask her what it was. Mom would confidently say, “cup”. OT would say ‘no, it’s a mug’. I wanted to scream ‘NO! At home we call that a cup”. There were several items like that. Mom finally refused to do OT because “they’re just playing games”.
Mom & I love poetry. One day I pull out one of her poetry books. I started to read a poem and she suddenly took over and finished it. The same with the next and the next poem.
I was so excited, wondering why OT or speech couldn’t use poetry to help Mom. NO! Not allowed, because it’s not therapeutic. At that point I had been there almost 6 weeks and needed to return home for soybean harvest.
But – I thought I was on to something that would make my Moms life happier. I visited the activities director. “Sure we’ll try to do that a couple times a week. I talked to 2 of her friends who were in their 50s & 60s, “Sure, they’d try to get in there once a week”.
It. Never. Happened!
I am relieved to know that I found something that has research to back it. If I’d known, I would have pushed it. My sister would do poetry with Mom every other weekend when she was there. She lived 3 hours away. She worked with special needs children all week & found out some of her techniques with the kids helped her with Dad.
NOW for a question. When I returned home after those 6 weeks, I noticed my husband was having problems with his short term memory. After 10 months of testing & evaluation we found out that he was having episodes of atrial fibrillation (irregular heart) and had thrown a small clot to the memory section of his brain and had a mini-stroke. We went to the USDA (agriculture) Friday and bid to have some of our ground put into pollinators (wildflowers & such or butterflies, bees, birds). During the process he asked all the appropriate questions. ‘Is this like the other CRP programs and has to be this way for 5 years’ and such. HOWEVER – the next day he did not remember he had done this.
ANY SUGGESTIONS- . Anyway to get this into his long term memory. On the inside of the Blackdoor I have reminders. I’ve gotten a couple clocks that show the day, month, date, & time. He is always saying what day is this and this helps.
He is getting very depressed. I have taken over all the bookwork and am taking a “Women in Agriculture” class. He is seeing a neurologist, a psychologist, cardiologist, & a counselor. They can give me no help on how I might help his memory.
Thanks again. As a nurse I’ve tried to keep up on the new brain research even before dealing with my mom & dad
Ann Kroeker says
Thank you for sharing your story, Janet. You have been through a lot, and how frustrating they did not follow through with your request, especially when you saw some breakthrough moments.
I don’t really have any professional knowledge myself to answer your question, but I hope you do find clear answers to help your husband. When first entering into this dementia experience with my dad, someone advised me to contact the 24/7 Alzheimer’s hotline/helpline. They help with all kinds of memory issues, not just Alzheimer’s, and their expertise answered a lot of my questions: http://www.alz.org/we_can_help_24_7_helpline.asp Toll-free anytime day or night at 1.800.272.3900. They may be able to connect you to local resources as well as answer immediate questions.
L.L., or Molly, do you have any ideas for Janet?
L. L. Barkat says
Janet, such a difficult situation on so many levels. I’m hoping you have a local support system in some way. Stroke is of course different from dementia—perhaps a closer cousin to brain injury, if you want to do research on that.
It sounds like you are doing everything you should be doing, and progress will take time; I do know that some stroke sufferers can recover some functions that looked initially lost, but I don’t know all the nuances of what makes that possible. There is so much we still don’t know about how memory works and where it is all “seated” in the brain. It really is worth doing the work and seeing what you can make happen. (See this post by brain researcher John Medina, on the mysteries of how the brain can recover—if only we could know how and why such recoveries could be compelled. But again, the therapies you are doing are well worth trying)…
Says Medina:
“Let me give you some examples of how little we know about how the brain works. We know that you use the left-side of your brain for speech. Under normal circumstances, if you get a stroke on the left side of your brain, your speech can be greatly affected. Depending upon where you got the stroke, it could affect your ability to speak language or your ability to understand language.
There is a little six year old who suffered from something Sturge-Weber syndrome, a catastrophic brain disease. Because he had this disorder, the little guy had to have his entire left hemisphere removed. No left hemisphere, no language. That should have completely destroyed his language ability. Right?
Wrong!
Within two years, the little guy had regained his language abilities entirely. The right side of his brain seemed to have noticed there was a deficit and simply rewired itself to take over talking. Do we understand this?
We do not.”
http://brainrules.blogspot.com/2015/02/how-does-brain-work.html
And, briefly on the subject of memory: http://brainrules.blogspot.com/2014/10/how-does-memory-work.html
***
Hoping you find some ways in to the answers you need, Janet. Thank you for sharing your stories with us.