Strategy of Electric Toothbrush

Posted on June 18, 2018 by truthfulkindness

Tru here. My abilities have been gradually decreasing for years. This means adaptive strategies that have been productive in the past … become no longer productive. Either need new adaptations for old strategies, or new strategies need brought in to meet new needs. Most recent added strategy has been for dental hygiene to avoid mouth sores; electric toothbrush

If i can see mouth in mirror, then i can use two hands in order to help toothbrush find my mouth,
but losing muscle control for where and how forcefully i am jamming toothbrush.
Brushing teeth involves multiple simultaneous movements, which is becoming increasingly difficult for my dementia symptoms.
This has created gum sores in ditch between teeth and cheek.
In video chat, a number of my friends have now purchased electric toothbrush, so i did also.

With electric toothbrush, i no longer need to manage multiple SIMULTANEOUS movements for brushing my teeth;
i just need to move toothbrush to different parts of my mouth and the power element scrubs teeth and gums.
The vibration is a bit tickly right now, but i think my symptom progression is still early enough that i will adapt to that sensation — better than mouth sores.
If i get conditioned to that sensation now, might come in very handy to keep using electric toothbrush during later stages

Toothbrush gives 3 bell-sound notifications at intervals, for moving to different sections of mouth,
then turns off after last 30-second interval.
So no more scrubbing enamel off my teeth because of over-scrubbing.

If i think of a funny, uplifting closure, i will put it here. But i have not thought of one yet.

Related Links.
Right-click on colored text and selecting “open in new tab”,
will allow you to return to this tab easily (at top of window) when you finish.
Remember, Links are on colored text, not the pictures.

Time & Energy Usage >> https://truthfulkindness.com/2015/07/20/time-energy-consumption-dementia-symptoms/

Teepa Snow recommendations for helping PWD brush teeth >> https://youtu.be/93ixNssks1c

* Admin issues: SHARE dementia awareness thru buttons below. Feel free to leave your thoughts in the form of comments, but please filter your comments with truthful loving kindness to all concerned. If interested in receiving notice of future blog postings, subscriptions are available through a “follow” button in the upper left corner (MS Explorer) or lower right (Safari, Mozilla Firefox and Chrome). If there is an advertisement below, I have no control over what is shown. My own full legal name is Truthful Loving Kindness. My current diagnosis is still Mild Cognitive Impairment, but my neurologist said I am in a unique position for helping because I have “one foot in each door”. Text Copyright © 2018-06/18. Tags are: dementia, hygiene, mouth, strategy, symptom, toothbrush.

Winner of “20-Best” Alz Blogs since 2015, including current year >> https://www.healthline.com/health/alzheimers-disease/best-blogs-of-the-year

Recent Pages Added 2018 June part 1

Posted on June 11, 2018 by truthfulkindness

Right-click on colored text and selecting “open in new tab”,
will allow you to return to this tab easily (at top of window) when you finish.
Remember, Links are on colored text, not the pictures.

I will continue sharing from other PLwD, but with increase of symptoms, can no longer invest time and energy for sharing so many as in the past.
Pages recently added to my blogsite are from:

Gord Settle “Catching Up” >> https://truthfulkindness.com/index-persons-with-dementia-pwd/gord-settle/catching-up/

Index for other contributions here >> https://truthfulkindness.com/index-persons-with-dementia-pwd/

* Admin issues: SHARE dementia awareness thru buttons below. Feel free to leave your thoughts in the form of comments, but please filter your comments with truthful loving kindness to all concerned. If interested in receiving notice of future blog postings, subscriptions are available through a “follow” button in the upper left corner (MS Explorer) or lower right (Safari, Mozilla Firefox and Chrome). If there is an advertisement below, I have no control over what is shown. My own full legal name is Truthful Loving Kindness. My current diagnosis is still Mild Cognitive Impairment, but my neurologist said I am in a unique position for helping because I have “one foot in each door”. Text Copyright © 2018 June 11. Tags are: dementia, persons with dementia, PLwD.

Winner of “20-Best” Alz Blogs since 2015, including current year >> https://www.healthline.com/health/alzheimers-disease/best-blogs-of-the-year

Need4 Nap

Posted on June 4, 2018 by truthfulkindness

With my latest slide of abilities, one of my first strategies is daily SCHEDULED nap.

Tru here.
Sometimes i sleep one or two hours, and sometimes just lay in bed for an hour, relaxing body and mind. i think either is beneficial for afternoon clarity.

As we age, our REM sleep is impacted, according to American Family Physicians (1999 May issue, chart above comparing sleep patterns for younger adults in comparison to older adults, and link below). Addiitonally, my research shows the brain’s hypothalamus is likely to become impaired with many types of dementia, causing more sleep problems. So it makes sense to supplement — as long as we can avoid impairing night-time sleep.

I extended my ability to continue employment by probably close to a year, thru daily lunch-time “power nap”. When i was no longer able to keep up at work and releaved of my duties, i mostly quit napping except when ill or with strong meds. Now my brain hits a wall about 8hrs into my day — so now began fore-stalling that wall by daily nap at about 4-6 hrs after i wake at 6am. Then bed-time slow-down and routine for conditioning to sleep begins about 14hrs after first waking, with lights-out at 10pm (16hrs after i woke in the morning).

WebMD, which is recommended by several in my medical team, says ”

The length of your nap and the type of sleep you get help determine the brain-boosting benefits. The 20-minute power nap — sometimes called the stage 2 nap — is good for alertness and motor learning skills like typing and playing the piano. What happens if you nap for more than 20 minutes? Research shows longer naps help boost memory and enhance creativity. Slow-wave sleep — napping for approximately 30 to 60 minutes — is good for decision-making skills, such as memorizing vocabulary or recalling directions. Getting rapid eye movement or REM sleep, usually 60 to 90 minutes of napping, plays a key role in making new connections in the brain and solving creative problems.

Here are some factors i keep in mind BEFORE i lay down for nap:

Turn sound off for Phone, and put rubber band on phoneto remind for turning sound back on.
Send text message to husband/care-partner, letting him know the phone will be off for nap (so he doesnt get concerned).
Light snack immediately before nap, to insure no blood sugar issues.
Potty trip for both self and dog.
Ear plugs.
pull shades (or wear sleep mask).
cuddly blanket.
Nap only before noon (4-6hrs into my awake hrs) in order to avoid even more sleep problems during the night.
Important to avoid transferring sleep-cycle to daytime, so i set an alarm for either 1 or 2hrs nap (depending on time availablty).

All-in-all, i think scheduled nap is my next step in strategies to provide best productivity despite recent slide in Abilities.

best-practices for sleep >> https://truthfulkindness.com/2016/03/23/sleep-problems-again/

George Huba PhD “self-care of nap” >> https://hubaisms.com/2016/04/07/dementia-selfcare-101-a-mindmap/

Amer Fam Physician >> https://www.aafp.org/afp/1999/0501/p2551.html

WebMD >> https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/the-secret-and-surprising-power-of-naps#1

Interesting >> https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-perfect-nap-sleeping-is-a-mix-of-art-and-science-1378155665

* Admin issues: SHARE dementia awareness thru buttons below. Feel free to leave your thoughts in the form of comments, but please filter your comments with truthful loving kindness to all concerned. If interested in receiving notice of future blog postings, subscriptions are available through a “follow” button in the upper left corner (MS Explorer) or lower right (Safari, Mozilla Firefox and Chrome). If there is an advertisement below, I have no control over what is shown. My own full legal name is Truthful Loving Kindness. My current diagnosis is still Mild Cognitive Impairment, but my neurologist said I am in a unique position for helping because I have “one foot in each door”. Copyright © 2018 June 4. Time investment was: way too many hours over five days for text, and two days for graphic. Tags are: dementia, nap, PLwD, strategy, symptom.

Winner of “20-Best” Alz Blogs since 2015, including current year >> https://www.healthline.com/health/alzheimers-disease/best-blogs-of-the-year

Doctors Sharing Dementia Diagnosis

Posted on May 31, 2018 by truthfulkindness

Tru here.

May 31 is “anniversary” date for celebrating my 3-yr FaceBook friendship with Reinhard Guss, Dementia Lead for British Psychoological Society (BPS), and co-chair of UK Dementia Action Alliance (DAA). Excellent timing for sharing what follows.

So VERY pleased to see the new booklet he and team have put together on topic of doctors sharing dementia diagnosis.

Truthfully, unable to understand most of the booket, but ever-so-pleased to see cover by personliving with dementia, and italicized comments scattered throughout, from first-person perspective of those living with dementia.

Tremendously encouraged when i see a professional document
with input from Experts by Lived Experience !!!
Considering authors and input, i
am confident this document is tip-top excellent.

Link for this booklet is currently top left picture at this Link >> https://www1.bps.org.uk/networks-and-communities/member-microsite/dcp-faculty-psychology-older-people-fpop .
At this time, membership is not needed to access document. Suggest right-click on photo of 37-page pdf, then select “open in new tab”. This allows you to return to originalwebpage if so desired.

“… Sharing a life-altering diagnosis is inevitably difficult for the person with dementia and the family, so communicating the diagnosis well is very important. …” – excerpt from booklet.

.*.

Recent Pages Added 2018May part 2

Posted on May 28, 2018 by truthfulkindness

I will continue sharing from other PLwD, but with increase of symptoms, can no longer invest time and energy for sharing so many as in the past.
Pages recently added to my blogsite are from:

Tommy Dunne “on Conversation” >> https://truthfulkindness.com/index-persons-with-dementia-pwd/tommy-dunne/on-conversation/

Non-dementia Family History page added : Memorial Day/ Joseph Pate Civil War >> https://truthfulkindness.com/about/life-other/family-history-index/ffp06-joseph-pate-civil-war-death/

Index for other contributors is here >> https://truthfulkindness.com/index-persons-with-dementia-pwd/

* Admin issues: SHARE dementia awareness thru buttons below. Feel free to leave your thoughts in the form of comments, but please filter your comments with truthful loving kindness to all concerned. If interested in receiving notice of future blog postings, subscriptions are available through a “follow” button in the upper left corner (MS Explorer) or lower right (Safari, Mozilla Firefox and Chrome). If there is an advertisement below, I have no control over what is shown. My own full legal name is Truthful Loving Kindness. My current diagnosis is still Mild Cognitive Impairment, but my neurologist said I am in a unique position for helping because I have “one foot in each door”. Text Copyright © 2018-05/14. Tags are: dementia, persons with dementia, PLwD.

Winner of “20-Best” Alz Blogs since 2015, including current year >> https://www.healthline.com/health/alzheimers-disease/best-blogs-of-the-year

Gifts from Flare

Posted on May 25, 2018 by truthfulkindness

Tru here. This one is another impromptu posting … just notes from past few days.

If you did not see it, my most recent entry is needed for context; Symptom Flare >> https://truthfulkindness.com/2018/05/18/sx-flare/

Resulting thoughts after taking hot bath= Relax and quit pushing myself, Cry, Pray, and …

… and realize there is a gift involved from “symptom flare”.

Symptom “flare” is very valuable PREVIEW for next stage of progression

what will be appropriate Crafts ?

what Mobility tools will work ?

what communication problems, so that can be on lookout for strategies.

types of music and movies that are helpful ,rather than producing more confusion.

gives me an opportunity to prepare for symptom progression in a gradual way.
Compensation strategies and projects previously assigned to a symptom flare gradually become integrated into my “new normal”, then new lower-level strategies/projects need to be found for during the week after an event, or when symptoms are just in an intense stage.

.*.

Thoughts from the Next day:

Today, looking back, realize what i was calling a “flare” has now lasted more than two months. Kind of suspect that i will have some scattered better days, but probably this is basically my “new normal”. So, grieve, accept, and work with what abilities i still have.

.*.

Life is always a balance beam, with priorities vs time/energy consumed.

every time i realize my Abilities have slipped another rung on the ladder, i need to re-evaluate what i have on my plate of duties, in order to keep my best abilities, time, and energy for the roles and tasks that are top priority.
For me, that means, Creator, Family, self-communication, Dementia Mentors, and other dementia advocacy.
Keep needing to drop roles in order to continue, because time to do every task keeps increasing (even things like eating or bathing).

Always a precarious balance — because progression of symptoms is part of ALL dementia.
So … need to take another look at my daily priorities in light of “new normal” dys-abilities. … but first i need to spend a bit of time to process and accept this.

i know that if i rush things … it creates added complications.

UPDATE thoughts a week later: One of the reasons i journal (especially with pictures added) is so that i can review my words, and see Life does not stay in the deep pits.
Not that our symptoms get BETTER
… but i think we learn new coping tools,
those around us learn new strategies
… and it is possible to become even closer with our “higher power”.

praying tools & energy for all of us dealing with dementia Life, and those who live with us.

.
.

Blog Difficulties >> https://truthfulkindness.com/2018/05/09/blog-difficulties/

Bad-Day Indicators >> https://truthfulkindness.com/2018/04/09/bad-day-indicators-suggestions/

.
* Admin issues: SHARE dementia awareness thru buttons below. Feel free to leave your thoughts in the form of comments, but please filter your comments with truthful loving kindness to all concerned. If interested in receiving notice of future blog postings, subscriptions are available through a “follow” button in the upper left corner (MS Explorer) or lower right (Safari, Mozilla Firefox and Chrome). If there is an advertisement below, I have no control over what is shown. My own full legal name is Truthful Loving Kindness. My current diagnosis is still Mild Cognitive Impairment, but my neurologist said I am in a unique position for helping because I have “one foot in each door”. Copyright © 2018-05/25. 4hrs invested/text + 2hrs/graphic. Tags are: acceptance, change, dementia, PLwD, symptom.

Winner of “20-Best” Alz Blogs since 2015, including current year >> https://www.healthline.com/health/alzheimers-disease/best-blogs-of-the-year

Symptom Flare

Posted on May 18, 2018 by truthfulkindness

Tru

Dontknow why symptoms are so much worse right now, but i do know that i am not the only one. With Fibromyalgia, we would call it a “flare” — consecutive periods of time when abilities are dramatically lower becaus symptoms are dramatically intensified. Dont know what to call it with dementia symptoms.

it seems like lately a number of my friends and i have just been extra ragged. More exhausted. Not just me, but also friends in Europe. So truly no ideas on why … just know it IS.

So … symptoms are more intense, time frame for doing our “normal” tasks is even longer than usual, more likely to get extra frustrated on every little thing — because our abilities are lower than usual.

Walking and other movement less successful so more stressful.

Dropping more items that break. Since i cannot remember what is inside kitchen cabinets we removed doors, so that means MUCH more time in clean-up time when glass breaks.

Less successful in getting food/drinks all the way to my mouth. Right now, wearing clothes guarantees those clothes will have food on them before end of day.

Less understanding of movies and reading. Confident it will pick back up, so i am juist leaving them along for now. if i was not using so much EXTRA time repairing my added mistakes on the other stuff, would spend some time doodling with colored pencils, crochet, or music.

For me, MUCH more challenge with audio communication right now. (But then audio section of my brain was one of the first sections for dementia symptoms.) Spent a good portion of my most recent Dementia Mentors’ chats just watching, because could not understand a word of what was said. Could still see body language tho ((smile)). Still appreciate being part of the “family” — even tho cannot understand what they are saying.

much more audio hallucinations lately.

Looking back, see that wrote about intensified symptoms during May of LAST year also. In fact i see that i fell badly and lost sensations in left thumb last May. Sensation never returned. Also iPhone STILL will not respond to “touch” movement with that thumb.

Emotionally, i am much more fragile right now. Frequently feel like crying — probably frustration.

My iPhone makes sounds & no idea why because cannot find any cause. Are they hallucinations ?? — no idea !!

Either the smoke alarm was going off this morning — or it was more audio hallucinations. No idea. but i ran around the house checking everyhting i could think of. Did not find anything on. Unfortunately i had hallucinations of that hot acrid burning smell numerous times every hour for 3 years — so suspect i lost the smell sensor to smell real smoke. Then sound of large animal moving things around on porch — but dogs show that actually there is nothing on porch. ugggh !!! Now smoke alarm going off again . I think i will put in ear plugs, cover up0, and go take a nap.

That is Life.

So what do i do about it ??

Have someone check the fire precautionary devices. (Relax about nomenclature; work-around the noun with verbs for what the item does. Work-around the names, with how the person is associated with yourself. etc)

Gear down to COMPOUND Low in everything. Compound Low is very low “crawling” gear — for pulling heavy loads (like my cognitive abilities right now, LOL).

Top priority = eat, drink, & relationship with family/pets and Creator. Cannot handle much more than that right now

Right now, i have stopped trying to read all my FaceBook notifications from friends with dementia (>150/day).

Continue attending video chat, even if i do not understand what folks are saying.

Extra Naps (but not past noon — to not interfere with sleep pattern)

Take out my “Future Creativity Box” this week-end (that i keep for when abilities are at Lowest Levels).

Get comfortable, then give self permission to have a good cry. … and find the things that i still have ability to do.

Husband care-partner has these suggestions:

nice long bath

take a walk and enjoy thi wonderful world

watch sunset and/or sunrise

play music

… and i can do this because my husband will take dog to training, and i will re-allocate my own dog-training time for quiet time on my own.

And gonna go ahead and post this now instead of working on it further during week-end. That way it is not pulling on my mind. So even tho this is posted early and probably a bit scrambled, it is my “Truthful Tuesday” entry.

Kitchen >> https://truthfulkindness.com/2014/09/09/distorted-decision-making-in-kitchen/

Last Yr, Tar Pit >> https://truthfulkindness.com/2017/05/29/walking-tar-pit/

* Admin issues: SHARE dementia awareness thru buttons below. Feel free to leave your thoughts in the form of comments, but please filter your comments with truthful loving kindness to all concerned. If interested in receiving notice of future blog postings, subscriptions are available through a “follow” button in the upper left corner (MS Explorer) or lower right (Safari, Mozilla Firefox and Chrome). If there is an advertisement below, I have no control over what is shown. My own full legal name is Truthful Loving Kindness. My current diagnosis is still Mild Cognitive Impairment, but my neurologist said I am in a unique position for helping because I have “one foot in each door”. Copyright © 2018-05/18. Tags are: dementia, flare, PLwD, strategy, symptom.

Winner of “20-Best” Alz Blogs since 2015, including current year >> https://www.healthline.com/health/alzheimers-disease/best-blogs-of-the-year

Suggestions4 Restless Legs

Posted on May 18, 2018 by truthfulkindness

Tru here.

Been asked for suggestions re restless legs as Lewy Body Dementia symptom. So posting this in addition to preparing my usual “Truthful Tuesday” entry.

Symptom of Restless Legs is something i know well.

Had problem since young age, as symptomof FibroMyalgia which i inherited.

Check for side-effect of new medication (mine was extremely intensified by Aricept/Donepezil until i tried cutting dosage to take half in morning then half at night. Almost completely dissolved as side effect after i was able to handle entire dosage in morning, instead of at night)

Check levels for abnormal levels of nutrients like iron & magnesium. Sometimes changed meds or other changes can consume more of those, on a regular basis, than what is “normal”.

Make sure there is nothing to impair movement during sleep; no dogs, pillows, etc, blocking movement. Otherwise almost certain to wake repeatedly during the night (IF you are able to return to sleep, LOL)

bare legs or silky leggings — again nothing that impairs movement against sheets etc

heat bags from microwave sometimes help diringthe falling-asleep process and short time afterward.

Best practices for sleep >> https://truthfulkindness.com/2016/03/23/sleep-problems-again/

.
* Admin issues: SHARE dementia awareness thru buttons below. Feel free to leave your thoughts in the form of comments, but please filter your comments with truthful loving kindness to all concerned. If interested in receiving notice of future blog postings, subscriptions are available through a “follow” button in the upper left corner (MS Explorer) or lower right (Safari, Mozilla Firefox and Chrome). If there is an advertisement below, I have no control over what is shown. My own full legal name is Truthful Loving Kindness. My current diagnosis is still Mild Cognitive Impairment, but my neurologist said I am in a unique position for helping because I have “one foot in each door”. Text Copyright © 2018-05/18. Tags are: dementia, lewy body, PLwD, restless legs, strategy, symptom.

Winner of “20-Best” Alz Blogs since 2015, including current year >> https://www.healthline.com/health/alzheimers-disease/best-blogs-of-the-year

Recent Pages Added 2018May part 1

Posted on May 14, 2018 by truthfulkindness

Pages recently added to my blogsite are from:

Wally Cox; WaterColor Class 2016 >> https://truthfulkindness.com/index-persons-with-dementia-pwd/wally-cox/watercolor-2016/

Tommy Dunne; Gardens & Dementia >> https://truthfulkindness.com/index-persons-with-dementia-pwd/tommy-dunne/gardens/

Harry Urban; April Laughter >> https://truthfulkindness.com/index-persons-with-dementia-pwd/harry-urban/april-laughter/

Non-dementia personal memoir page added to Bits n Pieces; Mother’s Day for Connie >> https://truthfulkindness.com/bnp/part-3/mother-connie/

Index for other contributions here >> https://truthfulkindness.com/index-persons-with-dementia-pwd/

* Admin issues: SHARE dementia awareness thru buttons below. Feel free to leave your thoughts in the form of comments, but please filter your comments with truthful loving kindness to all concerned. If interested in receiving notice of future blog postings, subscriptions are available through a “follow” button in the upper left corner (MS Explorer) or lower right (Safari, Mozilla Firefox and Chrome). If there is an advertisement below, I have no control over what is shown. My own full legal name is Truthful Loving Kindness. My current diagnosis is still Mild Cognitive Impairment, but my neurologist said I am in a unique position for helping because I have “one foot in each door”. Text Copyright © 2018-05/14. Tags are: dementia, persons with dementia, PLwD.

Winner of “20-Best” Alz Blogs since 2015, including current year >> https://www.healthline.com/health/alzheimers-disease/best-blogs-of-the-year

Blog Difficulties

Posted on May 9, 2018 by truthfulkindness

Tru here.

I know i skipped “Truthful Tuesday” this week, despite being here at the house, intensively working on blog the prior week and since Sunday morning. Realizing that even if i worked thru the night there is no way i could finish until later in the week, so … At 10pm Monday night i just gave up. This is NOT a regular blog entry — i am still working on the pages i am trying to share, but more a short explanation.

Been working on blog pages for others. Last year i kept track of my work time spent on posting pages for others, and it averaged 2hrs per page, even a simple copy/paste, find graphic from their FB photos, & get their approval for how it was put together. This year is tremendously higher. Cannot put my finger on the added problems, but in past few months it takes me way longer to do stuff — just generally.

…

Sleep complications have intensified again, which may be part of cause.

Also have started another blog entry on communication. Marital/partner communication has also dropped a step in abilities ladder. ugggh!!

Life goes on, but not being as successful at analyzing and problem-solving for work-arounds these days.

i am still working on it.
Havent given up, so dont give up on this blogsite either. ((smile))

Related Links
Right-click on colored text and selecting “open in new tab”,
will allow you to return to this tab easily (at top of window) when you finish.
Remember, Links are on colored text, not the pictures.

Time consumption >> https://truthfulkindness.com/2015/07/20/time-energy-consumption-dementia-symptoms/
.Sleep complications >> https://truthfulkindness.com/2016/01/19/impact-terrors-dreams/
.

Clarified priorities >> https://truthfulkindness.com/2018/04/23/apathy-priorities/

* Admin issues: SHARE dementia awareness thru buttons below. Feel free to leave your thoughts in the form of comments, but please filter your comments with truthful loving kindness to all concerned. If interested in receiving notice of future blog postings, subscriptions are available through a “follow” button in the upper left corner (MS Explorer) or lower right (Safari, Mozilla Firefox and Chrome). If there is an advertisement below, I have no control over what is shown. My own full legal name is Truthful Loving Kindness. My current diagnosis is still Mild Cognitive Impairment, but my neurologist said I am in a unique position for helping because I have “one foot in each door”. Text Copyright © 2018 May 09. Tags are: advocacy, blog, dementia, PLwD, symptom.

Winner of “20-Best” Alz Blogs since 2015, including current year >> https://www.healthline.com/health/alzheimers-disease/best-blogs-of-the-year

Person with Dementia Symptoms

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