Forgotten, but not gone.
Has your loved one reached the point where he or she no longer recognizes you? It’s a deeply upsetting milestone and a heartache to bear. Sometimes family members wonder whether their visits are meaningful, if a spouse or parent no longer recognizes them. Do they see me or just a stranger? Will they even remember I was here? Don’t get caught up in those nuances. “But even after names and relations are lost to the person, close relationships still register as beloved familiar figures,” writes Paula Spencer Scott, in her book, Surviving Alzheimer’s. Never underestimate the power of your touch, your voice, and your presence. You bring comfort and cheer just by being there!
“At this phase of illness, someone may not be able to express or respond verbally or even with non-verbal communication. They may not be able to show their gratitude — but that does not mean that they are not responding to the visit,” notes Nira Rittenberg, an occupational therapist specializing in geriatrics and dementia care.
So if you’ve ever wondered if visiting a loved one in the later stages of dementia really makes a difference, it does!
