Now straight away - controversy - am I laughing at people?
Well let's establish this first - NO!
I am NOT taking the pee re: someone's distress... no matter how 'silly' it looks to others - I can assure you, I care to much for that... I would NEVER belittle someone's fears and anxieties...
So what's it about then?
Okay... as you know I was a former Nursing Assistant, an now a Student Nurse and soon to be a Mental Health Nurse (hopefully, depending on qualifying) - so this to me is a thread specifically related to People with dementia and the laughter SHARED between them and others.
Here's my observations:
One thing I always noticed in dementia care, and also envied, is when the Person with dementia comments on something... often brutally honestly!
At first, it took me aback - but then I thought: "I wish I could say what I thought 100% without fear of reprisal"
One I remember was a patient I looked after who was obviously a natural comedian - he once said to the Sister:
"Here she is... she looks like a film star"
"Really?" said she, blushing, "which one?"
"Ruddy Jaws!" said he with a mischievous twinkle and wry grin as she walked away!
Another regarded a lady who was to have her hair done by the hairdresser:
"She's not touching me," said she, "look at her - auld Strawhead there... how can she cut hair when she looks like that, the scruffy mare!"
Finally... this ine is down to misinterpretatation more than anything, but to be honest, I was doubled up when I left the ward!
I was sat with two patients, Eric and Frank.
I had a copy of 'Take A Break' magazine, and was flicking through, when I noticed a photo of two Labrador pups - one Golden, one Black.
Now being 'dog crazy' I made numerous comments on these and on my own two beloved dogs... I then showed Frank the photo:
"Which do you like best?" I asked.
Frank, who couldn't communicate verbally, smiled and pointed at the black one.
"And what about you Eric?" I asked.
Straight away, Eric pointed at the Golden one and said:
"That one... I only ever ate one before but I LOVED IT - talk about juicy?"
And he winked at me!
The conversation continued, but to this day, I have no idea as to what he thought the photo was (I don't assume he'd eaten a Labrador) - but that doesn't matter to me - we had a good long conversation, enjoyed one another's company... and, I have to say, I laughed like a drain when I got home!
SO those are a few things that I found myself to 'lol' at - come on folks - tell your story!
N.
Well let's establish this first - NO!
I am NOT taking the pee re: someone's distress... no matter how 'silly' it looks to others - I can assure you, I care to much for that... I would NEVER belittle someone's fears and anxieties...
So what's it about then?
Okay... as you know I was a former Nursing Assistant, an now a Student Nurse and soon to be a Mental Health Nurse (hopefully, depending on qualifying) - so this to me is a thread specifically related to People with dementia and the laughter SHARED between them and others.
Here's my observations:
One thing I always noticed in dementia care, and also envied, is when the Person with dementia comments on something... often brutally honestly!
At first, it took me aback - but then I thought: "I wish I could say what I thought 100% without fear of reprisal"
One I remember was a patient I looked after who was obviously a natural comedian - he once said to the Sister:
"Here she is... she looks like a film star"
"Really?" said she, blushing, "which one?"
"Ruddy Jaws!" said he with a mischievous twinkle and wry grin as she walked away!
Another regarded a lady who was to have her hair done by the hairdresser:
"She's not touching me," said she, "look at her - auld Strawhead there... how can she cut hair when she looks like that, the scruffy mare!"
Finally... this ine is down to misinterpretatation more than anything, but to be honest, I was doubled up when I left the ward!
I was sat with two patients, Eric and Frank.
I had a copy of 'Take A Break' magazine, and was flicking through, when I noticed a photo of two Labrador pups - one Golden, one Black.
Now being 'dog crazy' I made numerous comments on these and on my own two beloved dogs... I then showed Frank the photo:
"Which do you like best?" I asked.
Frank, who couldn't communicate verbally, smiled and pointed at the black one.
"And what about you Eric?" I asked.
Straight away, Eric pointed at the Golden one and said:
"That one... I only ever ate one before but I LOVED IT - talk about juicy?"
And he winked at me!
The conversation continued, but to this day, I have no idea as to what he thought the photo was (I don't assume he'd eaten a Labrador) - but that doesn't matter to me - we had a good long conversation, enjoyed one another's company... and, I have to say, I laughed like a drain when I got home!
SO those are a few things that I found myself to 'lol' at - come on folks - tell your story!
N.