I wanted to post here to mention how I've noticed a child's relationship with their parent changes in what can feel very strange ways when that parent has dementia and thus why such horrible misunderstandings such as what happen to Shakey Steve can happen.
At first when Dad started to need really high care, I kept getting confused because I'd find myself thinking things like 'my poor baby' and these days I hug him and kiss him (on the cheek) and rub his back a lot, things that if he were my 'Dad' Dad I'd never do (I mean a quick hug here and there, and a kiss on holidays was how we were before). In other words I have found myself treating him like I would if I had a small sick child.
Even though I have recognised this, I still find myself in mid-hug sometimes thinking this is weird, but its like a natural instinct to protect and care that comes out and it does appear to be what he needs.
There has been a whole role reversal and I'm not going to even go into the shock to the system when you see your father's private parts, something you never imagined you would have to do!
Has anyone else found this is how they felt? I'm also thinking that perhaps this sensation is more shocking to those of us who are younger, still feel like a child, and haven't had our own children yet, to recognise the feeling immediately??
At first when Dad started to need really high care, I kept getting confused because I'd find myself thinking things like 'my poor baby' and these days I hug him and kiss him (on the cheek) and rub his back a lot, things that if he were my 'Dad' Dad I'd never do (I mean a quick hug here and there, and a kiss on holidays was how we were before). In other words I have found myself treating him like I would if I had a small sick child.
Even though I have recognised this, I still find myself in mid-hug sometimes thinking this is weird, but its like a natural instinct to protect and care that comes out and it does appear to be what he needs.
There has been a whole role reversal and I'm not going to even go into the shock to the system when you see your father's private parts, something you never imagined you would have to do!
Has anyone else found this is how they felt? I'm also thinking that perhaps this sensation is more shocking to those of us who are younger, still feel like a child, and haven't had our own children yet, to recognise the feeling immediately??