The lighter side of growing old with Alzheimer

Why would anyone want to create a blog about growing old and having Alzheimer’s? I am registered nurse that has the privilege of caring for the elderly and people with Alzheimer’s. For some time my colleges and I have thought we should write a book about all the happy, funny, wonderful loving times we have had with the people we are blessed to care for. It is not always easy to see the lighter side of being old or having Alzheimer’s, especially if you are responsible for caring for that person 24 hours a day 7 days a week. So while I can‘t see myself writing a book or getting it published, I can see myself sharing some humor in a blog. I hope you enjoy these stories.

A 89 year old man is sitting at the dining room table, a beautiful soft gray haired women is sitting to his right, both have the disease Alzheimer’s. They are both residents in a secured unit of an assisted living facility. They are not related to each other, but that doesn’t matter since they can’t remember what happen 5 minutes ago. The man reaches out to hold the hand of the woman. She turns and smiles. This woman is quite and not usually very verbal. A caregiver politely walks over and states “Bob are you holding Jane’s hand?” The elderly man responds “Of course I am she is my wife.” “Really” says the caregiver, knowing that arguing is not the best approach, “How long have you been married?” “Ask her.” he responds. The beautiful woman says clear as day we have been married for 5 years. The man then turns to the caregiver and says “See I told you we have been married for 55 years.” These two people sat holding hands for most of the afternoon. Finding comfort in a memory that they created together.