In retrospect, the most difficult time in dealing with my dementia was the first few (about three or four) years. In the beginning, the symptoms of dementia hit me like a jackhammer and everything in my life became a crisis because I did not have the skills and tools to deal constructively with my new limitations, cognitive reality, and my shrinking universe. With a lot of help from family and friends and caring agencies, I did build up skills that have permitted me to learn how to “control” my new medical reality.

I write a lot about how I dealt with the problems caused by the dementia constellation of symptoms. I live well 10 years after the recognition of my neurodegenerative disorder(s).

Here’s where I was in 2010 before I learned how to approach the control of dementia. My message now is that it is possible to learn skills and tools that can improve the quality of life with dementia.

Click on the image to expand its size.

Happy New Year.

Two thousand and twenty. A leap year. A presidential election year. A year when some clear thinking is needed. Also a lot more civil discourse. And collaboration. And collaboration. And collaboration. Two thousand and twenty will be in the history books. Let’s hope the year is remembered as the time when we all came together.

It takes dozens (if not more) people to help a person with dementia live well. With great gratitude …