Take Life Seriosly

Take Life Seriously

What is dementia?

'Dementia' is a very serious health problem, that can affect us all in time. Here 'dementia' is defined as 'a condition of deteriorated mentality'.

It is considered from a light-hearted perspective, based upon the actual experiences of the author while employed as a registered nurse.

How Will You Know That You Have 'Dementia'

When your wife tells you that she found you sitting on the floor, crying. You got up in the night to change your pyjamas and you could not get back to bed, because you put both legs into the same pantleg.

When you are told by your older brother, after he finds you out cold, that you stuck a kitchen paring knife into the wall plug to make toast.

When your children tell you that you must have stayed up all night, because you could not find your bedroom and were still looking for it, when they got up in the morning.

When you have to have someone rescue you, because you tied your left shoe to your right shoe with double knots and you cannot walk down the street properly.

When your adult children will not take care of you, because you are no longer considered 'safe' to live with.

When your wife scolds you for pouring your cup of tomato soup into the bag of white wool, which she is using to crotchet an afghan.

When you find yourself continually trying to climb up the stairs and the house in which you are living, does not have any stairs.

When your doctor finds out that you are always reading the same book, upside down.

When your best friend comes to your home to visit you and you tell him that you only want to go home.

When your dog barks at you because you are eating his dog food, out of his dish on the floor.

When a neighbour finally tells you that this is not your house and that you live three blocks over, after you have been trying to use your key to unlock his door, for the last two hours.

When you suddenly realize that you have a big, brown grocery bag full of bubble packs for your pills. The bubble packs have never been opened or used. In fact, the bottom of the grocery bag is full of loose pills too.

When the children next door, tell you that their mother has instructed them 'to walk you' every day, because their dog died.

When a stranger, who lives miles away, suddenly takes your hand and tells you that you have been repeatedly walking around the same block, since early morning and that she will help you to find your way home.

When your family members come to your home regularly, to throw out all of your groceries, because they are no longer safe to eat.

When your grandaughter tells you, that you are using her toothpaste for shampoo.

When the lawyer setting up your will, advises you to appoint the university as your 'beneficiary', because you cannot remember your family any longer.

If you don't know by then, maybe you never will.