Ann, you make a good point. Some people like to be looked after whilst others are natural providers/protectors. The latter take control and would be at a total loss should they be struck with Dementia. In my case it was fortunate that I was a natural 'guard dog' when it came to protecting my wife. Just as well the rolls were not reversed. If I were to suffer with Dementia, I think I'd like to run away and lose myself in a woodland.
One lesson I learned early on was, when a new change in my wife's Dementia appeared, it was sudden and unexpected. For a while the change would vanish, till the it returned in fits and starts, then it became permanent. Such changes were loss of speech and spacial awareness. With reference to the latter it manifested with sudden falls. She would hold my hand while we were out walking. The first indication was when she would lean for support. The first time she slid to the ground was a warning not to stop our walks.
Sadly I learned too late it was futile to tell her to stay indoors while I took a short outside. It had been raining. Suddenly I heard a cry, she had followed me, fallen and broke her arm. From then on there was a rapid deterioration in her condition.
One lesson I learned early on was, when a new change in my wife's Dementia appeared, it was sudden and unexpected. For a while the change would vanish, till the it returned in fits and starts, then it became permanent. Such changes were loss of speech and spacial awareness. With reference to the latter it manifested with sudden falls. She would hold my hand while we were out walking. The first indication was when she would lean for support. The first time she slid to the ground was a warning not to stop our walks.
Sadly I learned too late it was futile to tell her to stay indoors while I took a short outside. It had been raining. Suddenly I heard a cry, she had followed me, fallen and broke her arm. From then on there was a rapid deterioration in her condition.