How to Talk to Someone With Dementia

Dementia

We all dread the thought of us getting it.

How do we prepare to help others or ourselves.

Dona Anderson

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We also dread the thought of our spouse, a parent, friend or anyone getting it.

It's a worry in the back of our mind for years as we age.

I've heard that it can start to begin many years earlier.

This video is about communicating with Dementia and that is very important because it's hard to do as the family, visitors and caretakers.

In the video Diane Waugh gives us lots of things to do to help be part of their life now.

Very Interesting. 

And as always there are many techniques and different ways to do things so this is just one for information on that path. 

 

Most of us may know someone with or who had some degree of Dementia.

For me when I was young it was my grandmother, and as a senior I know 3 that are in care centers.

We also have a neighbor that continues to live at home and sometimes needs help getting home from his walk. 

I also find it harder now with so much to remember.

How to work the remote, get on the computer, the pass words for everything, then how do the new appliances work, the camera and on and on.

We don't get the written/printed service we used to for many things so all the frustrations tend to add up.

Then there's the frequent changes that may be better for some but frustrating to others and not work for them.

There was never so much to remember. 

In this video I liked how she found out how to communicate. 

I hope to learn more and adopt a few of her ways as it makes things a lot easier.

Take Care.

PS.  there're lots of resources available to help us.  

I think it's important to know the right questions to ask and the answers let us know we may be in the right place.

This has been a rough year.  It used to be that we knew someone with/had cancer, then came Alzheimer's and now it's covid. 

Please take care.

Old Christmas Letter Found

what's in the letter?

what ... does it Say?

New posts every Tuesday connect us to Stories,

 Gratitude, Life, Happy Hearts and more.

Do you need any of this?

Dona Anderson

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Last Spring I found a few old Christmas Letters
in a binder when I was going through a cabinet.

They brought up so many memories for me in times less Busy. 

Simpler times, that we'll all have our own stories about.

As I read them over again I thought I'd share this one with you.

It's an old letter about even older Christmas memories and when reading it I immediately went back in time - it felt like watching an old Movie just missing the sleigh ride.

Here goes - wishing now it was shorter

it starts with

Good Tidings to You

Each year the holiday season is a special time that provides us with opportunities for creating memories, wonder, connection, reflection and if you let it, stillness.

Growing up on the Canadian prairies, the holidays offered moments to walk in the crisp new snow, bundle up with many layers of soft warm clothes, mittens and scarves, listen to the squeaky sounds of winter, and be able to see your breath so you knew it was right there with you.

I remember walking on a milder evening with a friend while beautiful snowflakes fell and talking for hours about nothing important but it felt the Best. 

I remember being able to walk over to relatives to drop off presents instead of mailing them and getting to see them thankfully placed under their tree, and then having a cup of warm cocoa and some homemade cookies.  I got to go along to the store to buy the big turkey, and help pick out the most beautiful Christmas tree to decorate. 

It was always the best when I got to place the angel on top, and then to feel the pause in the air when the tree lights were first turned on.  

And, there was nothing better than helping fill tins with freshly baked cookies and getting to eat the ones that were not quite perfect.

I remember anxiously waiting for family to return home for the holidays, and sitting at the long decorated dinner table for hours with our best china and silverware over second and third helpings, and then the finale - Mom's Christmas pudding for dessert!

Photo by S. Anderson

If it was possible, one of my wishes has always been to sit at Mom's Christmas table again but as an adult with all the same people instead of the young child I was.

I would like to be able to again listen to their stories so I could remember them, to see and hear what my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles other relatives and dearest family friends talked about then, how they all laughed and connected and most of all, to learn more about who they were.

As a child we often get little glimpses inside the people around us without the opportunity to really know them and their stories.  We think there will be lots of time later but unfortunately life and time always changes our world and those in it.  

Our daily lives are different from back then to now, but in so many ways the same.  

Even with all the changes and differences, I think the important things, the hope and the desserts of our life are the same, to love and to be loved, to laugh and smile, be happy and healthy and know that someone is there to notice, to see us and be part of our lives.

My wish list this season is to share and connect with others, to be part of their life and to let them be part of mine.

To make new memories and joy through our laughter and smiles, enjoy each bite of the food we eat together, and just sit and talk for awhile about nothing important but it will be the best.

And while the earth in this part of the world is preparing to rest now for the winter and we say bye to 2011 and welcome 2012, I will take some time to pause for awhile and celebrate with gratitude all that is in my present life, my hopes for the future, and I'll bring along other wonderful memories of the past to enjoy again!

And to you, a Happy New Year ...

now can I have some more pudding please!

Thank You for visiting today.

PS.

That was the last time I wrote a big Christmas letter  - later I just wrote little notes in the cards and sadly the cards and notes got less and less each year. 

Looking back now, I wonder if I should have continued a few years longer.(?)

Have You ever revisited some old letters you wrote - 
for me, it was a wonderful way to connect to who I
 was in that time of  my life.

Links for sharing below and comments welcomed.

Photo's added for this post.

Photo of Barn was taken by Sandra Anderson.

B&W copy is in Simply, One Breath At a Time

Feel part of a global community as

these posts are shared with others and 

travel the world.

cookies, I saw the word cookies somewhere - YUM.

what's your favorite kind of Cookie

3 quick ways to Reduce Stress & Relax

put your feet up,
relax & enjoy these 
gifts of Summer  

Hello & thank you for visiting today. 

I hope you're getting ready to enjoy the Summer.

Dona Anderson

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Many of your Summer
plans for this year may have changed so I hope these 3 posts will give you time to be happy, relax and enjoy the things you can do.

all from 

Moving Forward from

 the Heart.

Here's 3 links to previous posts that will let you be part of the Joys & Gifts of Summer.
  

Summer Breezes

Garden in your Dreams

A little poem- 

also from Garden in your Dreams. 

Did it work- if not Repeat!

Don't miss next week when 
Summer of Music 2020 starts!

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Spread the word 
&

Thank You for sharing with others - 

together we continue to send

wellness around the World.

Links for sharing below.

2020 Summer of Music

starts next week. 

8 opportunities to be inspired

and wonder what you'd do without Music.

Soothe away Stress & Blossom

Explore Comforting resources for Life.  

Visit the

 Resources Page. 

Last day to get my guided relaxation CD  for free
with the purchase of one of my books.

P.S. If you're viewing this in the mobile version you can go to the Web version to get the Archives on the right side bar, and the labels and links for sharing below.

What's good for us and is contagious ?

It's ... Smiles 😊

this is something you'll remember, 

smiles are ... contagious

Dona Anderson

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Everything is amazing when I

receive the gift of another day to

see the love and kindness in your 

Sweet, Sweet Smile ... 

Smiles are Gifts to others and yourself.

I'm in the pages of Simply, One Breath At Time today and thought I'd share with you some of this guided relaxation titled -

A Smile - on page 103.

Here's another in the True Treasures series

Have you ever thought about how your

breath changes from a smile to a frown.

Have you played around and gone back & forth from smiling to frowning and actually thought about how that felt.

You will in this Relaxation and I like to share it in Yoga for a reminder of how open we are when we smile and how tight closed we are with a frown.

try it a few times if you want

When you frown you're kind of closed off, can't even take a real deep breath and when you relax and smile space opens up through your body for both the inhale and the exhale.

Imagine how you'd feel being grumpy most of the time, how tight and closed off you'd be not getting those wonderful deep breaths down into our lower ribs and belly.

Smiles help reduce Stress and can even make You look younger - YES!

Here's some of what's written ... 

"You can smile at anything, a thought, a loved one, a picture, a stranger ...

Smiles are beautiful free gifts that light up your face ...

They're gifts to the world and you ...

Each smile is a conscious choice you've made to connect with the present moment ...

You can be both the giver and the receiver of that special moment ... 

Give yourself the gift of a smile - give the gift to others - see and feel what happens"

©Dona Anderson 2008 
Simply, One Breath At a Time

Thanks for your Visit. 

Links below for sharing and use the label
True Treasures to find similar posts.

600+ posts in the Archives on the

right side of page,Web version

This would be another good one to

keep sharing with others around the World.

Thank You.

Smile!

Are You smiling more now? 

                               Whose smile fills you with Joy?

Let us know in the comments.

P.S. I'd like to leave you with this post from 2016. 

The poem in it by Rumi always seems to remind me of Father's Day which is coming up. 

Information on Resources at this link.

 Gifts for a lifetime.

Don't forget to - Sign up to follow by email.

My 4th Summer of Music starts July 7.

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No cost - just enjoy

Take Care & Bye for NOW!

The TOP 3 revealed.

Here's the Top 3

Thank You, thank you!

I love to share with You music videos, Ted Talks, other info & videos but I'm very happy to say they weren't in my top 3. 

Excepts from both my books took 1 & 2 spot and the other I wrote using my photo from Hawaii for inspiration.

Dona Anderson
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Hope you enjoy these Gifts again from me to You.

           # 1 From 2016 

Come along ... see what happens 

From Simply, One Breath At a Time.

This post continues to show up in my stats everyday. 

Over 23,000 views.

     

   

#2 from 2017

#3 also from 2017

Thanks for being here

 - a Gift for You

From Moving Forward from the Heart                         

    This isn't a Labyrinth

Check these out at the Links above.

Have Fun and visit the archives to find Your Favorites.

You can also use the labels below to help.

New posts every Tuesday.

The next ones coming up maybe just what you're waiting for.

These inspiring, nourishing, nurturing
& unique meditations

open the body mind and soul.

More info at this link.

Did you Subscribe yet?

See what supports you over time.

Discover the types of things You need.

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it's just a couple of steps to follow.
no cost - you just get to enjoy.

Fred Rogers: Look for the Helpers

Mr Rogers x 2

Did you see the Movie
Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood?

If so, you may remember the message I'm sharing below.

And while searching for that it I found this video so I had to share both.

Two messages for us today.

Dona Anderson

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I didn't get to see Mr. Rogers TV show but I knew it was important for little ones

and, for some reason I HAD to see the movie.

Tom Hanks did a wonderful job.  

Here's the message, say it slow like he did.

“Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. 

When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. 

The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone.”

― Fred Rogers

Here's the video, Look for the Helpers

I also like this video. 

Both let us feel that there's Hope.

Thank You Mr. Rogers
& Thanks for your visit today.

Links for sharing below.

Check out the Web version

to see the labels and archives.

A new word I learned recently from a Ted Talk I have scheduled in a few weeks is Sawubona from South Africa which is to say Hello but also goes deeper into saying I see you and more which is something I think Mr Rogers was about.  

A Forgotten Post - Found

Or, I should say a Post from the Past 

Dona Anderson

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I've been wanting to write a post about Yoga off the Mat, the knowing that what comes up on the mat influences your life off the mat and guess what - I already did so I'm sharing it again today with you.

For some reason I kept remembering the title Awareness as a post so I went back, way... back through the posts to find it and see what I said. 

A look into my Past. Way Back.

Wow - this is From October 2011 - my post titled Awareness
Photo added for this post.

Message from Simply, One Breath At a Time

A few months ago I was asked what I blog posted about, was it things from my book and I answered no.  

This was a great question and at the time I guess it really seemed odd to the person and to me that I would answer no.  I had to think about an answer then replied, I think it has been more about increasing awareness. 

So later I looked for a theme and presence/awareness was what seemed to be more often repeated.  

I never used to have much awareness, I just went about my life with the busyness of home, family, and work.  I guess I have to again attribute my change to yoga.  

That’s when I started noticing more things, paying more attention, noticing the space in between and leaving room for the space.  

To me, Yoga is not just about what you do on the mat, it’s also a place to learn more about yourself. It’s a place to accept, nurture, improve upon, and it’s about what you then take out into the world. 

I found that instead of just wanting to do something, I started doing something, then finding more things that I could do, and one thing led to another.

I was encouraged on a deeper level to grow, move forward, sit in the front, talk to people, be comfortable with who I am,  to succeed on my terms with my limitations, and to enjoy even more how I dance and sing even when someone is watching. 

Lots of times I still get confused with myself because I don’t know how to process what I’m doing, getting into, or where it’s leading me. 

Then awhile ago,

I was reading a yoga teachers blog post about how the many middle and beyond aged ladies she was meeting despite their varying stories and challenges were now experiencing funnel shaped lives.

They were expanding their interests, passions, wisdom, fun and using their talents for inspiring others wherever they could. 

This was interesting and maybe reflects some of what I’m doing as well.

l used to think we were supposed to be our best when we were younger, but I like this approach better as I think I was just in training then to prepare me to now seek out and enjoy the other things that can come into and fill the rest of my life.  

I’ve been telling myself lately that I am happily broadening and expanding myself and it has nothing to do with the size of my waist or hips!

I guess I'll have to figure what my answer to that question would be now all these years later. 

As always, I really appreciate your visit
and links below for sharing.

Here's the link to another post
about Yoga for the Soul.

If you  haven't YET - is today the day

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only one post per week is delivered to you.

EXPLORE. EXPERIENCE. EMBRACE.

2 Ex's & an Em ...

and way down is an Update

Dona Anderson
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Please keep going - a long post but you won't
be sorry you made it to the end.

Explore      Experience      Embrace

From - Moving Forward from the Heart

Sweetness lies inside the spaces where you

free your body, mind and spirit 

to fully celebrate

Life!

Many things make their way in my head when I'm laying awake during the night and unfortunately I don't remember most of them when it's finally time to wake up, or just get out of bed.

Anyway, I'd like to tell you a bit more about my book, Moving Forward from the Heart. and I've shared a bit of the beginning and the ending of later in this post.  You'll love it.

When I finished my first book, Simply, One Breath At a Time I still had more of those thoughts during the night, pages of notes saved and over the next year couldn't stop seeing things that said to me OH that would be good and this goes with that and...on and on.  

Needless to say the letting go of one book didn't send me towards feelings of that's done - I can rest now - but rather it left me with still more on paper and in my head.

On the back cover of Simply, I started it off with Dona's first book of guided relaxations offers... I had to write something in a hurry to send off and we were traveling across country. 

It was 2008, far away from home at the time and internet connections were not everywhere we were. 

It didn't hit me until much later that I asked my self, why did I say that? 

Somehow the universe had a plan

More was to come

I just didn't know it at the time.

In 2010 I started looking at my leftover notes and made a word file titled book 2011, just a time off in the future.

Well it was mid year 2015 when I finally said I'm done, but I still didn't have the title. A few earlier ideas didn't work and it took awhile before I got it. 

73 new Meditations full of things for us to Explore, Experience and Embrace.

In this post I'm going to share a bit of the first Meditation and then the last, number 73.

In between there is so much to 

Explore, Experience and Embrace.

Here's just a sampling of what you'll find in these 73 unique Meditations 

- Explore the Chakras, Reiki principles, Life, who you are now & affirmations.

- Experience nature, being at the top of a tree, a visit to the ocean, visualizations, treasures, moving the breath and much more. 

- Embrace your family, friends, hugs & most of all yourself. 

Our Lives change, we change and through all the changes we may not realize who we are or want to be Now.

So this book offers you many unique and gentle meditations of Inspiration, Encouragement, Presence and Gratitude. 

Here is a sampling from the beginning of  #1 - So Much More to See

"Whether your meditation practice is just getting started or it is an ongoing regular practice, it is there for you to simply breathe, nourish and restore.

Meditation is a special time for you to soften and release stress, move out old thoughts that clutter your mind, and to then use the space that remains for mindful presence.

Meditation connects you to your body for healing, rejuvenation and to create balance.  It opens the mind up to learning and understanding, to listening and dreaming, to reducing and eliminating."

There's more but now I want to include the ending of the last meditation #73, You Became the Beauty.  

If you have some time, think about all the things that could be between #1 that would lead you to #73.

Here it is ... 

© 2015 Dona Anderson

"You became the breath,
the breath became you

You became the difference, 

the difference became you

You became the knowing,

the knowing became you

You became the wisdom,

the wisdom became you

You became the beauty,

the beauty became you

You became the very best,

 and

the very best

became YOU ..."

Thanks for your visit.

Link to Resources - So much more to see ...

I love checking out where my visitors to this blog are from. Sometimes I even have to Google the country to find out where it is.

From an earlier post - Is your home on this list?

UPDATE

More Since that list - Welcome to ...

Quartar, Estonia, Uganda, Hong Kong, Venezuela, Pakistan, Brunei, Costa Rica, Latvia, Nigeria, Slovakia, Switzerland, Caribbean, Palestine, Kazakhstan, Oman, Luxembourg, Morocco, Algeria.

Thank You so much 

💚

I'd like to show you some words 

from others that help fill & 
nourish my Heart & Soul ...

Thank You to my Wellwishers 

Link from the Home Page.

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SOMEWHERE Special along the JOURNEY

Not sure where

Dona Anderson

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We are nearing the End of another year and it seems to be that time of Reflection again on what we did, when we laughed, what we learned and the changes if any that happened.

Some of it may be wonderful, some not so.

I know I'm bad for change and just figuring out new appliances in the summer was  frustrating. 

But we get through it and move on to be thankful for all the good and see what we can learn from the rest.

I chose this picture for it being beautiful, powerful energy that goes on and on.  I remember taking it years ago but not exactly where it was.

A stop along the road,  part of our travels, somewhere along our journey of life.

You can't just be a visitor to being there, seeing this place where nature rules and not have felt it.

You felt it ...

The mist in the air, the sound of the falls, the knowing it is doing what it's suppose to do.

It leaves behind something deep inside, in those places where you know there is so much more to our Earth, Life and how we choose to be part of it.

The important part - how we choose to be part of it.

Thank you for being here today...

In case you Missed it

If you missed the 3 posts on What is Wellness
here's a more recent post where I shared links
to all 3.

I found that in getting to know more about what Wellness is,
we can learn more about how to protect it.

I Hope you come back for my weekly new posts.  

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