Fear of Dementia in your 60s? Live, laugh and enjoy

Larene worote “Are you caring for someone with Dementia?” two days ago.  Today, she shares what her family’s battles with Dementia have taught her…

Today, as individuals, we approach our 60’s with a desire to live, laugh and enjoy the next phase of life. We seek peace and joy and a calmness in our life. The concept of Retirement sounds different to past experiences and exciting. The bold face of reality though is that retirement may be a wonderful experience but with a flip of the coin, it may not.

It is important to live a healthy happy life for as long as we can.

It is important to be able to recognise Dementia, to understand it and be prepared for it just in case it creeps up on us, without warning.

Ageing with dignity is everyone’s preference. If we are fortunate it can be a time of great happiness, travelling, fishing, grandchildren, living in our own home, surrounded by loved ones and even assisted by a Carer. However for some, ageing will be in a Dementia Ward of a Nursing Home, a single bed in a small room with a single wardrobe to hold limited possessions, surrounded by strangers, with feelings of isolation and no familiar visitors, relying only on ‘memory’ and if your memory is failing this can be quite a frightening and daunting experience.

Understanding Dementia will help us to plan ahead for ourselves and our loved ones. Dementia should not be a taboo topic. Don’t be frightened to learn and educate yourself and your family about Dementia. No one is exempt from Dementia but some can be lucky enough to avoid it.

A lifetime of Memories

If you haven’t already done so, start remembering the good days of old, find and collate pics of your family and relatives, your happiest most memorable life experiences, while you still have ‘Memory’. Create yourself a ‘Memory Book’, of Family, Relatives and Friends, events of happiness and laughter shared throughout your lifetime.

Dementia patients can forget the past but also often remember the past but can’t place the memories into chronological order and frequently struggle to remember events within recent minutes or hours, or the day before, the week before. A ‘Memory Book with pictures’ is an excellent resource and comforting to someone with Dementia. A memory book provides a sense of ‘belonging’.

Turning 60 has arrived. Now is the time to start making some more Memories. Make time to be sociable, make new friends, share activities, shop with a friend, travel with a friend, broaden your memories and record them. Think of others in your age bracket or older, visit people and say ‘hello’, reduce isolation.

Plan to live, laugh and enjoy healthy ageing and help others to do the same and share the Memories.