This caregiver clearly thought through creating the companion card and I was happy to read how it can be helpful in certain situations. Dementia behaviors can be hard on everyone, especially caregivers, and this was a creative solution for navigating some of those challenges. I've found more helpful tips for caregivers of loved ones with dementia in this article: https://athomecarecompany.com/dementia-in-the-early-stages-part-1/
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I'm actually considering making up a business card that explains his condition so I don't have to do the awkward explanations when in public. My husband loves to go out in public but is not great at what is considered polite behavior anymore.
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Thanks so much for this article. It validates what I had to figure out and do for my in-laws. We brought them to our state 3 years ago, to Assisted Living (first) and now they are in the facility's nursing home. They were drowning in trying to cope and didn't want anyone to know. I had to be a detective and figure out EVERYTHING to do with their affairs, financial and otherwise, because they through so many important things away. I take them to all their dr. appointments (they could go on the facility's bus, but then what would I know??), so I soon found out that I couldn't say the "A" word in front of my mother-in-law, plus she and my father-in-law could play a cool game of "Who has Dementia? Not me!" I soon figured out what I had to do is fax the dr the day before the appointment with all the information (especially a new dr or if there was an issue, not just a checkup). I would remind the dr that s/he has dementia, why we were seeing him/her, and what I needed or suspected. It has helped immensely! Sometimes I even have to laugh to myself, because the dr comes in and doesn't even ask why s/he is there (just goes from my notes). Yikes! ;)
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