I have not yet discovered that one single thing that brings the "rain". Those wonderful lucid moments that make the heart soar.
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
Is there an article which explains what is happening in the brain that gives dementia patients times of lucidity, and times of confusion, and times of both?
My first thought was wozo edwards. My second thought was, thats a speezy spicy meatball.
Think about it.
All kidding aside, this is an interesting and thought provoking question. I bet millions of Alzheimer's caregivers have thought about this question.
Take me for example. I'm always searching for the holy grail. I recently passed the 8 year mark for caregiving.
I don't know of any specific research that answers Helen's question.
I do know some of the things that makes Dotty "more there" and "very dull".
There can be little doubt that exercise increases blood flow to the brain. Does increased blood flow to the brain help cause moments of lucidity, you betcha. Before exercise Dotty might be dull, bitchy, and firmly entrenched in the "NO" world. Afterward, she looks taller, seems more in control of her own world, smiles and talks.
Dotty often goes into dull world around 4 in the afternoon or there abouts. What works best? Bright light.
We live in south Florida so light is no problem. I try to take Dotty out into the bright light every day (late afternoon, early evening). More recently, I have been putting Dotty and Harvey outside for some chips and ice tea. We have good light right out front, and its covered so your brain won't fry.
We also use Walmart for bright light and to get Dotty around other people. We use the motorized cart to get around the store. I am a big fan of the cart. Dotty has to use her hands in combination with her brain, and has to navigate. Amazingly, Dotty can still navigate around right behind me in the cart with little problem. She never runs into anything. She doesn't look at the food as much as she use to. Or, try to snag a box of Cheese Its like she use too. That is a bit disconcerting. Of course, it was also disconcerting when she was doing it.
One of the most interesting aspects of Alzheimer's caregiving is Yin and Yang. Especially when Yin turns into Yang, and Yang turns into Yin over time. Odd, how I can miss a "Dotty behavior" when she stops doing it. The same behavior use to bug me when she would do it.
Bright light clearly improves Dotty's mood. It also keep her from the very common "sundowning" behavior. It is not unusual for persons living with Alzheimer's to get mean, dull, and often disconcerted around sundown. Also confused.
Tip. If sundown causes challenging behavior, it only stands to reason that sun-up is the solution. I mean bright light. It is also helpful to introduce bright light into the entire day. Open the curtains, sit near the window, or outside. Let the sun shine in (sing it).
I really don't understand why there isn't more research on bright light. Almost everyone I know that tries "bright light" says it works. Bright light gets you "more there", instead of "less there". Which does qualify as a form of "lucidity" in my opinion.
There can be little doubt that Harvey, our repeat parrot, brings moments of lucidity. One thing for sure, Harvey gets more information out of Dotty than I can get. I continue to believe that the repeat parrot is the number one caregiver tool. See, Is Pete the Parrot an Alzheimer's Caregiver Detective?
Music undoubtedly brings the "more there". Put the music on the television if you have the music channel, or a good music movie like Shrek, or Mama Mia. Watch the face of the person living with dementia. You might actually see them begin to pay attention to the television, instead of that dull I have no idea what is on television look.
Sometimes something comes on the television by accident, like Sesame Street where they are singing and you have lots of bright colors. Dotty really perks up, she looks mesmerized with interest, and starts to pay attention. How often do you see that look?
Television is a good baby sitting tool, it is not a good Alzheimer's caregiving tool. In fact, too much TV will bring on the "dull" faster that a speeding bullet.
Painting and jigsaw puzzles bring on the "more there" for certain.
So here is the deal.
If you engage the person living with dementia, keep them socialized, get a parrot, use music, puzzles and large doses of bright light along with lots of "real" exercise and a good diet, you just might get more lucid moments.
I have not yet discovered that one single thing that brings the "rain". Those wonderful lucid moments that make the heart soar.
I won't give up though. Not ever. If there is a holy grail of Alzheimer's caregiving, I want to find it. Or, find the person that knows where it is.
I remain convinced that the main reason Dotty continues to surprise me from time to time, with moments of lucidity, is a direct result of doing every thing I can think of to keep her engaged and living her life.
More Insight and Advice for Caregivers
- Test Your Memory for Alzheimer's (5 Best Self Assessment Tests)
- What is Alzheimer's Disease?
- What is Dementia?
- What’s the Difference Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
- Communicating in Alzheimer's World
- How the Loss of Memory Works in Alzheimer’s Disease, and How Understanding This Could Help You
- Learning How to Communicate with Someone Suffering From Alzheimer's Disease
- Alzheimer's World -- Trying to Reconnect with Someone Suffering from Alzheimer's Disease
Original content Bob DeMarco, the Alzheimer's Reading Room
