Carol Howell is a Certified Dementia Specialist and Endorsed Life Coach with an emphasis on Creative Music Experiences. Her latest book, Let’s Talk Dementia-A Caregiver’s Guide, is an Amazon #1 Best Seller, and it is an easy to read guide for caregivers of individuals with dementia. It is scattered with humor to help bring smiles back into the lives of overworked caregivers. Carol Howell Talks Dementia is a series of posts with anecdotes, insights, and practical help for caregivers of loved ones with dementia.
As I sit at my desk on hold for the umpteenth time with my wireless phone carrier, I recalled a fun day with Momma. It occurred about three or four years ago, and I love remembering the story.
While driving down a road in town one day, my Momma was complaining about how difficult her cell phone was to operate. “I swear, it drives me crazy!” In actuality, Momma’s cell phone was driving ME crazy, too. She could not remember how to operate the phone because of her Alzheimer’s. She then said, “I would just like to throw it away.” At that moment a light went off in my head, and, the next thing I knew, Momma and I were standing in the woods.
“Go ahead, Momma. Throw your phone as hard as you possibly can into the woods.” At first she thought I was kidding, but then she quickly realized I was absolutely serious. So she did! She threw that phone as hard as she could, and then she doubled over laughing! “I can’t believe we just did that! What else do we have we can throw in the woods? That was fun!”
After that most unusual experience, we returned to the car and went to Verizon Wireless to cancel the contract. Upon being asked, “Why do you want to cancel the phone?” Momma responded, “Because I threw my phone in the woods.” She didn’t even crack a smile. She responded as if it were the most commonly used reason to cancel a phone contract.
Momma’s life is less complicated since she has a land line that she understands. Now, if I could just do the same thing. Aren’t there days you wish you could throw YOUR phone into the woods? Hope that gives you Something to Ponder.
- Dementia and Really Old Beauty - October 19, 2021
- Carol Howell Talks Dementia: Take Me Home! - October 5, 2020
- Carol Howell Talks Dementia: Get Me Out of Here! - November 3, 2018
