Embracing Life and Finding Joy
As my mom and I sat in the living room of her condo, surrounded by family pictures and familiar trinkets, I couldn't help but reflect on the incredible journey she had been on since receiving her diagnosis. Living with dementia had brought its fair share of challenges, but after observing her, it had also taught me the power of resilience and the importance of embracing life, which my mother did both to the fullest.
In this chapter, I will explore how to find joy and purpose while navigating the complexities of dementia. Together, we will embark on a journey towards discovering what brings happiness and joy to someone with dementia.
Finding joy amidst cognitive decline may seem like an insurmountable task, but it is essential for maintaining a positive outlook on life. One approach that has worked wonders for me is to help my mother to focus on activities that brought her pleasure. Whether it's engaging in activities such as cooking Jamaican food or playing bingo or simply spending quality time with loved ones who came to visit, those moments provided a respite from the difficulties that dementia presents. She especially loved the family visits. As the dementia advanced in my mother, when I would tell her that someone was calling her on the phone, she would shake her head to say no she didn’t want to talk, but she would always follow that up with “tell them to come visit me, if they want to talk to me.”
In this chapter, I will explore how to find joy and purpose while navigating the complexities of dementia. Together, we will embark on a journey towards discovering what brings happiness and joy to someone with dementia.
Finding joy amidst cognitive decline may seem like an insurmountable task, but it is essential for maintaining a positive outlook on life. One approach that has worked wonders for me is to help my mother to focus on activities that brought her pleasure. Whether it's engaging in activities such as cooking Jamaican food or playing bingo or simply spending quality time with loved ones who came to visit, those moments provided a respite from the difficulties that dementia presents. She especially loved the family visits. As the dementia advanced in my mother, when I would tell her that someone was calling her on the phone, she would shake her head to say no she didn’t want to talk, but she would always follow that up with “tell them to come visit me, if they want to talk to me.”
Appreciate the Small Victories
Another key aspect of finding joy lies in adjusting our expectations and appreciating small victories along the way. Celebrating even the slightest progress can be incredibly empowering, whether it's remembering a loved one's name by going through the old photo album together or watching a good movie on Netflix and Prime Video. Those were great moments that my mother enjoyed and appreciated. My mother absolutely loves watching movies together. There were days when we would just have a movie marathon and watched movies back-to-back to back-to-back. By focusing on what we can do together, rather than dwelling on what has been lost, we were able to cultivate a sense of joy and accomplishment that allowed her to overlook any limitations imposed by dementia. It was as close to a normal life as possible.
Another activity I personally found joy in was walking. Every day, I would get up and go walking either in my neighborhood or on the beach, taking in the beauty of nature and engaging with friendly faces along the way. Oh, what a joy it was to witness the beautiful sunrise glowing on top of the water every morning. That was God’s beautiful gift to us, natural nature. My walks quickly became a source of inspiration as well to shed a few pounds. I honestly missed those days.
Seeking emotional support throughout our dementia journey is vital for both individuals living with dementia and their families. Therapists specializing in this field can provide guidance on managing emotions such as fear, frustration, or sadness while helping us develop coping strategies tailored to our unique circumstances.
Support groups, which did it for me, plays an equally important role by offering a safe space where you can share your experiences without judgment or stigma. In these groups, I was able to find solace knowing that I was not alone. My support groups are close friends who understand firsthand what it means to navigate the challenges posed by dementia, without being judgmental or providing unsolicited advice.
Another activity I personally found joy in was walking. Every day, I would get up and go walking either in my neighborhood or on the beach, taking in the beauty of nature and engaging with friendly faces along the way. Oh, what a joy it was to witness the beautiful sunrise glowing on top of the water every morning. That was God’s beautiful gift to us, natural nature. My walks quickly became a source of inspiration as well to shed a few pounds. I honestly missed those days.
Seeking emotional support throughout our dementia journey is vital for both individuals living with dementia and their families. Therapists specializing in this field can provide guidance on managing emotions such as fear, frustration, or sadness while helping us develop coping strategies tailored to our unique circumstances.
Support groups, which did it for me, plays an equally important role by offering a safe space where you can share your experiences without judgment or stigma. In these groups, I was able to find solace knowing that I was not alone. My support groups are close friends who understand firsthand what it means to navigate the challenges posed by dementia, without being judgmental or providing unsolicited advice.
Conclusion
As I conclude this chapter and reflect on my dementia journey, I am filled with gratitude for the moments of joy my mother discovered along the way. I am also overjoyed that God has found favor in me, to put me in a position to care for my mother. I consider it a blessing.
My Dementia Journey may be filled with twists and turns, but it is a journey worth embarking on. Each day presents an opportunity to discover joy, celebrate small victories, and make lasting memories and to let your loved ones know how much you love and appreciate them. During this precious time, I easily find myself giving my mother a hug and telling her how much I love her 4 – 5 times and hour, and it gives me great joy when she smiles and tell me how much she loves me back. Let us embrace life with open hearts and minds as we navigate this remarkable path together. It is in embracing life, finding purpose, and nurturing connections that we truly transcend the limitations of our condition.
My Dementia Journey may be filled with twists and turns, but it is a journey worth embarking on. Each day presents an opportunity to discover joy, celebrate small victories, and make lasting memories and to let your loved ones know how much you love and appreciate them. During this precious time, I easily find myself giving my mother a hug and telling her how much I love her 4 – 5 times and hour, and it gives me great joy when she smiles and tell me how much she loves me back. Let us embrace life with open hearts and minds as we navigate this remarkable path together. It is in embracing life, finding purpose, and nurturing connections that we truly transcend the limitations of our condition.
