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If I get dementia, I’d like my family, friends and Carers to hang this wish list up on the wall where I live. I want them to remember these things.
💛🤗💛🤗💛1. If I get dementia, I want my friends and family to embrace my reality.💛💛💛2. If I think my spouse is still alive, or if I think we’re visiting my parents for dinner, let me believe those things. I’ll be much happier for it.💛💛💛3. If I get dementia, don’t argue with me about what is true for me versus what is true for you.💛💛💛4. If I get dementia, and I am not sure who you are, do not take it personally. My timeline is confusing to me.💛💛💛5. If I get dementia, and can no longer use utensils, do not start feeding me. Instead, switch me to a finger-food diet, and see if I can still feed myself.💛💛💛6. If I get dementia, and I am sad or anxious, hold my hand and listen. Do not tell me that my feelings are unfounded.💛💛💛7. If I get dementia, I don’t want to be treated like a child. Talk to me like the adult that I am.💛💛💛8. If I get dementia, I still want to enjoy the things that I’ve always enjoyed. Help me find a way to exercise, read, and visit with friends.💛💛💛9. If I get dementia, ask me to tell you a story from my past.💛💛💛10. If I get dementia, and I become agitated, take the time to figure out what is bothering me.💛💛💛11. If I get dementia, treat me the way that you would want to be treated.💛💛💛12. If I get dementia, make sure that there are plenty of snacks for me in the house. Even now if I don’t eat I get angry, and if I have dementia, I may have trouble explaining what I need.💛💛💛13. If I get dementia, don’t talk about me as if I’m not in the room.💛💛💛14. If I get dementia, don’t feel guilty if you cannot care for me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s not your fault, and you’ve done your best. Find someone who can help you, or choose a great new place for me to live.💛💛💛15. If I get dementia, and I live in a dementia care community, please visit me often.💛💛💛16. If I get dementia, don’t act frustrated if I mix up names, events, or places. Take a deep breath. It’s not my fault.💛💛💛17. If I get dementia, make sure I always have my favorite music playing within earshot.💛💛💛18. If I get dementia, and I like to pick up items and carry them around, help me return those items to their original place.💛💛💛19. If I get dementia, don’t exclude me from parties and family gatherings.💛💛💛20. If I get dementia, know that I still like receiving hugs or handshakes.💛💛💛21. If I get dementia, remember that I am still the person you know and love,

Just beautiful, thank you for sharing!
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Ty for posting this!
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oh wow, this is so well written! YOu are correct, we should tell our children, well ahead of time, in as much detail, what we want and dont want them to do, and put it in writing.
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If I get dementia, I want my family to place me in the best facility they can find for what I can afford and go on with their lives. I want them to understand that I do NOT want to live this way, and whatever decision they need to make to keep me out of discomfort but not prolong my life, DO IT! Let me go. There's no point in trying to keep me alive only to wither to literally nothing, and die slowly. If I'm at risk for a stroke, GIVE ME THE Coumadin ANYWAY! If my BP or cholesterol is too high, feed me pizza every meal and keep the BP meds a way from me. I'm in AFib? Fabulous! Let's watch the monitor do tricks together. Let me go!
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Bring this back up for someone to read
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Thank you for posting this... as my Mom is now having more forgetfulness, paranoia and obstinance I will need to keep this list close at hand to read it daily. Blessings!
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lealonnie1, oh my gosh, I love this list. Thanks for sharing :)
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Thank you, Lea. Lovely and thought provoking.
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Beautifully stated. Thank you for sharing. We all need and deserve compassion no matter the circumstances life throws at us
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Thanks for reposting that lealonnie. I printed it out the last time you posted it and brought copies to my caregiver support group to hand out to everyone.
It is so spot on and beautiful.
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Wow...beautifully said.
I wish this for all of us.
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