The Plaid Pajamas and the Last Big Laugh

It was the last time I heard that laugh. Maybe it was the colorful plaids. Maybe it was how ridiculous Grandpa looked. Maybe it was because we all thought it was funny and she shared our emotions.Young Max Wallack and Great GramsBy Max WallackAlzheimer's Reading RoomIn an article in the Vancouver Sun, Douglas Todd contemplates on how his mother picks up on and reflects his emotional state. He decides that the best thing he can do for his mom is to stay in a good mood.Douglas Todd says,“Since my mother’s own Self is so fragmented, she adopts the emotions of whomever is with her, especially if it is someone with whom she may possibly, unconsciously, remember is her son.”Reading this made me remember the last time that I heard Great Grams laugh. I mean REALLY laugh.Routine and the Importance of the First Action of the Day in Dementia CareGreat Grams had always had a very jolly laugh. When she thought something was funny, and she started laughing, she almost couldn ’t stop. Tears would come to her eyes, roll down her cheeks, and she would still be laughing. Sometimes, she would stop for a minute and then burst out laughing again.Once dementia took hold of Great Grams, we didn ’t hear that laugh very much anymore.How the Smile is a Powerful Communication Tool in Dementia CareThen, one day there was a sale on pajamas at a nearby store. Grandma found some in Grandpa ’s size for only $5, and they were the nice soft cotton flannel that he liked.She bought them.Let me descr...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's Alzheimer's family alzheimer's story alzheimers care Alzheimers Dementia care of dementia patients help alzheimer's help with dementia care pajamas Source Type: blogs