Senility
An unexpected journey48 total reviews
Comment from susand3022
Hi Belinda,
I loved this. My father is 92 and his mind has been going downhill for the last few months. Dementia. It's a really hard thing to have to see as a child, especially when that person was so smart. More than just smart really. Now, he sometimes doesn't remember what to do with his toothbrush, or what he's supposed to do with a glass of water with a straw sticking out of it. Then, the next day he's asking you to go and fetch him the remote control, which he tells you hasn't been there in weeks, (and it hasn't because he stopped knowing what to do with it, so we just started to program the tv for him) so he can change the channel. What he wants to watch, isn't on, but he's having a lucid moment, so I've got to show him, then I don't know the channels for the rest of the stuff he wants to check on. My sister has tossed all that. (I don't live there) I had to find some perpetual news for him so he would be happy until he fell asleep again and the next program kicked in... football game. He was happy with that! lol
Very grateful for his lucid days, or mornings as the case may be... he's usually better in the morning than he is in the evening when he gets tired. He starts to fade around 4:30ish, by the time he's finished dinner, he's ready for bed.
Your poem really hit home for me. Gold stars all the way across! Superb.
Susan :)
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2023
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Hi Belinda,
I loved this. My father is 92 and his mind has been going downhill for the last few months. Dementia. It's a really hard thing to have to see as a child, especially when that person was so smart. More than just smart really. Now, he sometimes doesn't remember what to do with his toothbrush, or what he's supposed to do with a glass of water with a straw sticking out of it. Then, the next day he's asking you to go and fetch him the remote control, which he tells you hasn't been there in weeks, (and it hasn't because he stopped knowing what to do with it, so we just started to program the tv for him) so he can change the channel. What he wants to watch, isn't on, but he's having a lucid moment, so I've got to show him, then I don't know the channels for the rest of the stuff he wants to check on. My sister has tossed all that. (I don't live there) I had to find some perpetual news for him so he would be happy until he fell asleep again and the next program kicked in... football game. He was happy with that! lol
Very grateful for his lucid days, or mornings as the case may be... he's usually better in the morning than he is in the evening when he gets tired. He starts to fade around 4:30ish, by the time he's finished dinner, he's ready for bed.
Your poem really hit home for me. Gold stars all the way across! Superb.
Susan :)
Comment Written 18-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2023
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Thank you so much for the six star review. What your dad is struggling with sounds like something the medical people in my family call sun-downers. It?s something many elderly experience. It can be very heart breaking for sure. I?m so glad the poem resonated with you.
Comment from Sarah Tummey
I liked the disjointed feel of this poem. It seemed to match the mind of the person concerned.
I was moved by the line about muted dismay. It must be awful to lose the ability to articulate how you feel.
The last line, "Blessedly, peacefulness" was my favourite.
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2023
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I liked the disjointed feel of this poem. It seemed to match the mind of the person concerned.
I was moved by the line about muted dismay. It must be awful to lose the ability to articulate how you feel.
The last line, "Blessedly, peacefulness" was my favourite.
Comment Written 18-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2023
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Thank you so much for the review! I will cherish your words.
Comment from LJbutterfly
Your short, succinct words creatively give the feeling of uncertainty and fleeting moments. You have described a terrifying, debilitating disease that presents challenges for both the victim and the caregiver. Thank you for sharing your experiences and knowledge.
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2023
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Your short, succinct words creatively give the feeling of uncertainty and fleeting moments. You have described a terrifying, debilitating disease that presents challenges for both the victim and the caregiver. Thank you for sharing your experiences and knowledge.
Comment Written 17-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2023
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Thank you so much. It is challenging for sure.
Comment from mermaids
I work with Alzheimer's patients and your descriptive words capture the journey one takes with this illness. "Broken, changed, lost at times" are a perfect use of words that shows the reader what is experienced with this illness. Excellent use of words and poetic form.
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2023
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I work with Alzheimer's patients and your descriptive words capture the journey one takes with this illness. "Broken, changed, lost at times" are a perfect use of words that shows the reader what is experienced with this illness. Excellent use of words and poetic form.
Comment Written 17-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2023
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Thank you so much! Your words are inspirational.
Comment from Barbara Peabody Pouliot
Wow, yes you truly captured it with your words. So very hard and so very sad to watch a person you love decline, with up and down moments.
Thank you for sharing. God Bless.
Good Luck
Write on
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2023
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Wow, yes you truly captured it with your words. So very hard and so very sad to watch a person you love decline, with up and down moments.
Thank you for sharing. God Bless.
Good Luck
Write on
Comment Written 17-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2023
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Thank you so much!
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YW
Comment from karenina
This well-written poem is indicative of the scattered thoughts of the Alzheimer's patient__ and of the caregivers. Life is turned upside down. I cared for my grandmom for years, until Alzheimer's was so advanced I had to make that dreaded decision to place her in supportive living. She lived with this disease until age 98. After her death, I became an RN and devoted some thirty-plus years to caring for this population. My heart goes out to you you noted in some of your replies to reviews you've had several family members who've been struck by this. Nancy Reagan called it "The Long Goodbye." It is that...
Karenina
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2023
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This well-written poem is indicative of the scattered thoughts of the Alzheimer's patient__ and of the caregivers. Life is turned upside down. I cared for my grandmom for years, until Alzheimer's was so advanced I had to make that dreaded decision to place her in supportive living. She lived with this disease until age 98. After her death, I became an RN and devoted some thirty-plus years to caring for this population. My heart goes out to you you noted in some of your replies to reviews you've had several family members who've been struck by this. Nancy Reagan called it "The Long Goodbye." It is that...
Karenina
Comment Written 17-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2023
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Yes it definitely is that. Thank you for sharing your heart. Thank you for the review.
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My pleasure.
Comment from GWHARGIS
Personally, no one in my family has suffered from thos terrible disease. But working at the pharmacy, I have seen vibrant people become empty husks from this. Your poem echos the trials and despair of both the caregiver and the sufferer. Well written and emotionally charged. Gretchen
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2023
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Personally, no one in my family has suffered from thos terrible disease. But working at the pharmacy, I have seen vibrant people become empty husks from this. Your poem echos the trials and despair of both the caregiver and the sufferer. Well written and emotionally charged. Gretchen
Comment Written 16-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2023
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Thank you so much!
Comment from MissMerri
This is an amazing poem. I thought it expressed so well the many feelings that accompany this dilemma. When a loved one gets any form of dementia it is so sad, but does not in any way diminish the love we feel for that one, yet we go through so many other emotions too, such as fear and uncertainty, helplessness, dismay. You've said it all and said it so well. This is a poem many will relate to, I'm sure.
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2023
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This is an amazing poem. I thought it expressed so well the many feelings that accompany this dilemma. When a loved one gets any form of dementia it is so sad, but does not in any way diminish the love we feel for that one, yet we go through so many other emotions too, such as fear and uncertainty, helplessness, dismay. You've said it all and said it so well. This is a poem many will relate to, I'm sure.
Comment Written 16-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2023
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They have done so yes. Thank you so much for your words.
Comment from R.B.Bunn
Thank you for sharing. Alzheimer's is a beast of a condition. It is hard to watch people become lost within themselves. The short structure of the sentences helps give it an uneasy feel, much like the feelings Alzheimer's can bring.
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2023
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Thank you for sharing. Alzheimer's is a beast of a condition. It is hard to watch people become lost within themselves. The short structure of the sentences helps give it an uneasy feel, much like the feelings Alzheimer's can bring.
Comment Written 16-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2023
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Thank you so much.
Comment from CrystieCookie999
The start-and-stop nature of early Alzheimer's is surely frustrating to those who experience it. I think the way you have incomplete sentences definite helps describe it even better. I think it is interesting you included some positive aspects as well. Nice post.
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2023
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The start-and-stop nature of early Alzheimer's is surely frustrating to those who experience it. I think the way you have incomplete sentences definite helps describe it even better. I think it is interesting you included some positive aspects as well. Nice post.
Comment Written 16-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2023
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Thank you so much!