Showing Love and Patience to a Senior with Dementia

Before heading to Ottawa, we made a stop and arrived to Bellville to visit H., my dear friend from my teaching days in Toronto. It was good to see my old friend again and talked a bit. Since we were tired, we went to bed right after dinner. After a good night of rest, we were ready for a breakfast with H. Ra. cooked up a storm and made some delicious French toasts for us using the apple bread we bought from the Big Apple. It was a delicious breakfast and we enjoyed it! I must try to make the apple bread French toast for our grown children when they are home next time. After breakfast, I took out my computer and sang some hymns with my best friend. R. told me that Heb was unable to do many things on his own as his memory has been deteriorating. I was prepared for H.'s silence and unresponsiveness. But to my pleasant surprise, my dear old friend was engaged, enjoyed the hymns and seemed to be immersed in the singing. Once again, I saw how powerful God’s word was. The hymns I chose had lyrics made up from the scripture. H. appeared to be genuinely touched by the lyrics of these songs.

Ya, my sister in law was kind and patient with H. too. Though this was the first time Ya and H. met, they were comfortable in each other’s presence. Ya was caring with Heb. as she held his hands, singing and dancing with him. What a delightful sight! After the singing, we took Heb out for a walk around the neighborhood. He was reluctant to leave the house initially and argumentative. He didn't want to put on his shoes and he didn't want to wear his coat. It was a struggle trying to get him out of the house. But after much encouragement, H. finally agreed for a short walk to get some fresh air and exercise. It was good for him going outside and meeting his neighblours who have not seen him for a while. Walking slowly on his walker and flanked by us, H. took his walk in stride as we guided him along the walkway in the neighborhood. Though initially he was irriated when we asked him to go for a walk, H. appeared enjoying his walk as he felt the fresh air on his face and started being interested in his environment. I was gald that with love and patience, H. was able to participate in an outdoor activity which he has not done in a little while. After the walk, H.'s personal support worker was arriving shortly to his house. We bid our farewell to them wondereding how my best friend would be the next time we see him at his home.

We continued our trip to Ottawa and stopped at Monitique, a quiet little town about an hour of drive from Ottawa. Arriving at the Miller's Museum late in the afternoon, we were too late for any tour as the museum closed at 4:45pm. Strolling along the main street area, we were pleasantly surprised to find a few restaurants offering a variety of ethnic dishes in this small town among which was a Vietnamese restaurant where we rested and had our dinner. We arrived at Marg‘s place well after 8 pm. After exchanging our greetings and hanging out in the front garden to admire D.’s beautiful flowers and got bitten a lot by bugs, we called it a night and went to bed. RT, Bellville/ Ottawa wed082024