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Sarah and List-Family... Coming into this discussion a bit late, but my mom had dementia for 10 years and the last coupla years were very hard for her and my sis and me. One thing that both mom, myself, my sis, our respective kids, and mom's neighbors at the senior's residence she lived in REALLY LOVED was to sing all mom's old favorite songs. We always started off singing "Margie," I'm always thinking of you, MAAAAAGIE," and mom'd just jump right in and off key as usual, start singing and SMILING while we all joined in - each in their own key and at their own pace. <smiling thru tears> My sister's name is Margie... and Mar and I miss mom SO much, Well... we miss the mom she USED to be, and ached for the mom she was towards the end. In rereading what I said here, I realize that I didn't MEAN to go into my personal feelings about my mom at this time, but darn - the words just popped up on the screen so I'm gonna figure I musta NEEDED to let some feelings and tears out just now, so I'm leaving that part of my message here. So DO try singing to and with your grandma, Sarah - Ya just never know till ya raise up your voice in song how she'll respond to a rousing chorus of "On Moonlight Bay" or maybe even "Margie" "Member, m'dear - don't be shy about singing either - let 'er rip! <smile> Barb Mallut [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Camilla Flintermann <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> Date: Wednesday, September 15, 1999 12:10 PM Subject: Re: My grandmother >Sarah-- you've had some good advice--another idea might be photo albums >that would stimulate her memory of the long-ago times which may be closer >to recall than yesterday. At least it's worth a try...see how she reacts. >ANd I recall when Peter's mother was in a NH and mildly demented she loved >a cuddly doll that someone brought her, kept it by her, named it, etc. and >seemed to find it comforting. >Many NHs these days have resident pets, or allow pets to visit, because it >is so therapeutic for the patients--there's a well known program called >"The Eden Alternative" in place in many NHs around the country--you might >discuss this type of therapy with the social worker at the NH--they must >have one--and see if you could bring a pet to visit your grandmother IF you >know she would enjoy that. As was said, the greatest gift can be your >own *presence*. not your *presents*. Your loving attention to her is a >true blessing, and don't forget grandpa will need some too, as he mourns >her absence . Try to help him NOT to feel guilty for the placement.....it >sounds as if it really best for her. > > >>I want to bring her a gift something that she can still enjoy but I have >>no idea what. Her PD is quite severe and there's nothing much that she >>can do anymore. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions of what I can >>bring to her? >> >>Sarah > > > > > Camilla Flintermann Oxford,OH > > http://www.newcountry.nu/pd/members/camilla/one.htm ><[log in to unmask]> > > "In all beginnings, endings lie enfolded, > implicit and invisible as roots." > > > from: "Leaving the Garden"--CHF >