Let’s be honest with each other. It takes a lot of guts to share this picture with you. I blew up my checks with tons of hot air (I’ve been told I have plenty to spare!!), and I sent the picture to my sister. I was just being silly, but it made us both giggle. I made it a point to show the picture to Momma. Why? That’s a good question.
Momma has mid-stage Alzheimer’s. There are days she is joyful and fun and seems very happy. There are days she is down and sad and just not herself. Those are the days the “happy pills” come out, and they come in the form of my sisters and I being silly. We will tell Momma crazy stories (most of which are not true), funny jokes, or show her funny videos on Facebook. She will laugh, and relax, and life is better—even for just a moment.
It is our job to offer happiness, funny moments, and times of joy to Momma. However, it is our pleasure to do so, also. When Momma smiles, we feel better, also. As the saying goes, “If Momma ain’t happy…ain’t nobody happy!” That is so true. We all like to laugh. Our friends and loved ones with dementia are no exception. In fact, when they laugh, they are more likely to interact in a positive way with others in the upcoming hours then they would have if the laughter had not occurred! So, laugh with someone. Or, as the picture shows, laugh AT someone. It’s a good thing!
Hope that gives you Something to Ponder.
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- 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
