Unlocking the Silent Prison

I wanted to share an excellent article called Unlocking the Silent Prison about alternate methods of communicating with dementia patients.

Ohio State University's Michelle Bourgeois suggests that, in addition to communicating verbally, we try writing down important messages so the confused dementia patient can read them (instead of the caregiver having to repeat things over and over.)

She also suggests making a photo album of important family members ("then and now") and labeling them.  This helps the dementia patient understand that the "stranger" they see really is their little baby girl.

I think I'm going to try this with my mom, as she is having a difficult time understanding why she needs to be repeatedly cleaned up by her caregivers.

Alternate ways of communicating with challenging family members, for example, teaching pre-verbal children sign language, can be a breakthrough and a great help to caregivers.

Unlocking the Silent Prison

I wanted to share an excellent article called Unlocking the Silent Prison about alternate methods of communicating with dementia patients.

Ohio State University's Michelle Bourgeois suggests that, in addition to communicating verbally, we try writing down important messages so the confused dementia patient can read them (instead of the caregiver having to repeat things over and over.)

She also suggests making a photo album of important family members ("then and now") and labeling them.  This helps the dementia patient understand that the "stranger" they see really is their little baby girl.

I think I'm going to try this with my mom, as she is having a difficult time understanding why she needs to be repeatedly cleaned up by her caregivers.

Alternate ways of communicating with challenging family members, for example, teaching pre-verbal children sign language, can be a breakthrough and a great help to caregivers.

Offering it up

I finally have an excuse for the light blogging I've been doing. I fell backwards off my mom's porch & broke my wrist. Just got back from ER with a soft cast, an ace bandage (2 of them, actually), a sling and some Percoset. Tomorrow I go in for a CT scan and see the ortho on Wed.

Now I have stuff to offer up. St. Stanislaus Kostka is the patron saint of broken bones.

Offering it up

I finally have an excuse for the light blogging I've been doing. I fell backwards off my mom's porch & broke my wrist. Just got back from ER with a soft cast, an ace bandage (2 of them, actually), a sling and some Percoset. Tomorrow I go in for a CT scan and see the ortho on Wed.

Now I have stuff to offer up. St. Stanislaus Kostka is the patron saint of broken bones.

World Day of the Sick

Tomorrow is World Day of the Sick, begun by Pope John Paul II in 1993, and coincides each year with the anniversary of the (Church approved) apparition of the Virgin Mary at Lourdes, France.

The Church asks us to pray for, remember and come to the aid of all those who are sick, and to encourage them to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
~James 5:14

World Day of the Sick

Tomorrow is World Day of the Sick, begun by Pope John Paul II in 1993, and coincides each year with the anniversary of the (Church approved) apparition of the Virgin Mary at Lourdes, France.

The Church asks us to pray for, remember and come to the aid of all those who are sick, and to encourage them to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
~James 5:14

:(

I have a cold. Or the flu. Or something. Its been teasing me for a couple of days. First I thought maybe it was an allergy. I've been living on Airborne, but, this time the cold merely laughed.

My body hurts. My eyes hurt. After work, I'm coming home and going to bed.

:(

I have a cold. Or the flu. Or something. Its been teasing me for a couple of days. First I thought maybe it was an allergy. I've been living on Airborne, but, this time the cold merely laughed.

My body hurts. My eyes hurt. After work, I'm coming home and going to bed.

Miraculous News

Fellow Catholic blogger, AutumnRose has gotten the biopsy results back from her recent surgery, and the results are NOT cancerous! What she had is rare, but not a form of cancer.

We all need to thank God for these results!! This is truly miraculous news!!

But I am afflicted and in pain; let your saving help protect me, Oh God,
That I may praise Your name in song and glorify it with thanksgiving.

"See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, take heart!
Let the heavens and the earth sing praise, the seas and whatever moves in them!"
~Psalm 69

Miraculous News

Fellow Catholic blogger, AutumnRose has gotten the biopsy results back from her recent surgery, and the results are NOT cancerous! What she had is rare, but not a form of cancer.

We all need to thank God for these results!! This is truly miraculous news!!

But I am afflicted and in pain; let your saving help protect me, Oh God,
That I may praise Your name in song and glorify it with thanksgiving.

"See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, take heart!
Let the heavens and the earth sing praise, the seas and whatever moves in them!"
~Psalm 69

How to Visit the Dying

As a follow up to my post about grieving, David (the author of the original) has another great article on How to Visit the Dying.

1. Drop everything and go.
2. Just be there.
3. Take the lowest seat--don't try to be the center of attention.
4. Don't take things personally. The last thing the family is concerned about is your feelings.
5. Don't speak.
6. Don't be afraid of your emotions.
7. Reach out and touch someone.
8. If you bring something, let it be practical.
9. If you have the privilege of being in the room when the person dies, realize you are experiencing one of the most profound moments ever.
10. Only read scripture, or pray if you are asked.

How to Visit the Dying

As a follow up to my post about grieving, David (the author of the original) has another great article on How to Visit the Dying.

1. Drop everything and go.
2. Just be there.
3. Take the lowest seat--don't try to be the center of attention.
4. Don't take things personally. The last thing the family is concerned about is your feelings.
5. Don't speak.
6. Don't be afraid of your emotions.
7. Reach out and touch someone.
8. If you bring something, let it be practical.
9. If you have the privilege of being in the room when the person dies, realize you are experiencing one of the most profound moments ever.
10. Only read scripture, or pray if you are asked.

World Day of the Sick

Today is the 15th Annual World Day of the Sick. Pope Benedict has dedicated this day to all who are sick, especially those with terminal illnesses.

Prayer for the Sick

(From the Catholic Community Forum)

Dear Jesus, Divine Physician and Healer of the sick,

we turn to you in this time of illness.

O dearest comforter of the troubled,

alleviate our worry and sorrow with your gentle love,

and grant us the grace and strength to accept this burden.

Dear God, we place our worries in your hands.

We place our sick under your care and humbly ask that you

restore your servant to health again.

Above all, grant us the grace to acknowledge your will

and know that whatever you do,

you do for the love of us.

~Amen.

World Day of the Sick

Today is the 15th Annual World Day of the Sick. Pope Benedict has dedicated this day to all who are sick, especially those with terminal illnesses.

Prayer for the Sick

(From the Catholic Community Forum)

Dear Jesus, Divine Physician and Healer of the sick,

we turn to you in this time of illness.

O dearest comforter of the troubled,

alleviate our worry and sorrow with your gentle love,

and grant us the grace and strength to accept this burden.

Dear God, we place our worries in your hands.

We place our sick under your care and humbly ask that you

restore your servant to health again.

Above all, grant us the grace to acknowledge your will

and know that whatever you do,

you do for the love of us.

~Amen.