Recognizing self:

Tru here.  Biggest cues for me in recognizing sight of self and loved ones are:
hair length,
hair color,
hair style.

I have always had a lot of very dark hair, usually long and pulled back from my face.  Right now my gray hair surprises me each time I look in mirror, but I still recognize myself.  More difficult when my hair is short, so I wear it long.  (Had been cycling between shaving as gift for Locks of Love then growing long enough to gift again, but now am giving gift to self of recognition.)

I recognize my mother, but she still has long dark hair.  I do not recognize the way my sister looks, or aunts and uncles.

When I no longer recognize myself I suggest that if my hair is dyed that might help, but until that time I like to wear it natural.
I will stretch the recognition time as long as possible by wearing a black head-covering on top of my head, and black snood over my long hair in back.

Recognizing spouse:

Again hair makes a big difference, but since he now has very little hair on top of his head, I do not request that he color his hair.  Hair length makes a big difference tho – best if his hair and beard are short like our early years together.  He has always worn a hat during the daytime, so I recognize him more when he wears a hat and has short hair, but my most reliable recognition for both spouse and loved ones is not sight; it is …

sound, and
smell.

So husband makes it a point to speak to me as soon as he wakes.  When he talks I recognize him with no problem.
When my sister speaks I recognize her.  But if I still did not recognize her then I suggest she start singing “They call the wind Maria” or “Oh what a beautiful Morning”.
When other family members speak then I recognize them.

I suggest if loved ones have a “signature scent” that they use the same fragrance they did in the earlier years of our relationship.

I hope to extend the recognition process as long as possible, but even when I no longer recognize loved ones, if it goes like my grandmothers then I will still know these people are important to me.  I may get the relationships jumbled, but please do not pull away from time spent together.

Relationships are what make life worth living.

Related blog entries:

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Music is Connection at https://truthfulkindness.com/2015/08/25/music-is-connection-dementia-symptoms/;

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Self-Identity; Am I Still Me at https://truthfulkindness.com/2015/06/07/self-identity-am-i-still-me/;

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Melancholy Day at https://truthfulkindness.com/2014/11/10/melancholy-day/;

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