Old age approaching, would you rather lose your mind or your body?

[RATTER15]

Im talking "Senile Dementia" not other kinds of brain damage.

With old age approaching, if you had a choice, do you think you would rather hold on to your sanity or you physical abilities.

As some of you know I work in a severe Dementia unit.

Personally I think I would hold on to my body. Whilst the early stages of dementia can be frightening, frustrating and very upsetting for all concerned, as it progresses and you no longer are aware of your illness it is not such a problem for the sufferer but would be still very upsetting for their loved ones. I dont think I would want to live if I was unable to move around, walk out into my garden, go shopping etc and end up spending my life in a wheel chair.

Im basing my views on the Dementia sufferers I work with, they are generally speaking very happy people, they are still communicating their wishes (generally speaking) not always verbally but you get to know the individual and what they are communicating. My work is a very happy place and all the staff and residents are mostly enjoying everyday as it comes. I accept that this is not always the case, we have one or two very sad cases where their life is a turmoil but this can usually be controlled with medication if required.

What are your thoughts?

[RATTER15]

em10, Dementia is a brain related problem not a physical one although the brain will often cause physical difficulties associated with a Dementia.

[Marijn]

My mum has dementia and is in a lovely home and has all her needs catered for. The residents are generally happy and so are the staff. Loads of fun things are arranged for them to do. Well done Ratter for doing a wonderful, worth while job.

[RATTER15]

Thanks notafish. I think some people struggle to believe that people with Dementia can have a happy life.

I choose that option over losing my physical actions for a good reason, how can you have a good time when you arent able to move arms and legs etc. Most of the people in my care do not have a single care in the world, some obviously do and arent so happy.

Most of these people have very child like mentalities, they arent children but can often enjoy themselves just as children do.

[Marijn]

When I take my mum's friend Helen to see mum. Helen always says afterwards. . . "Isn't it sad, isn't it terrible". And I say "No, It's sad for you, Helen, because mum isn't like she used to be and seems like a different person, but MUM IS HAPPY, and that's all that matters!"

[RATTER15]

That is exactly how I see it. leave ourselves out of the picture and look at them.

[karenmac60]

I agree with you Ratter. I worked in a nursing home for a short while many years ago and without a doubt, the residents with failing minds were much happier in their own little worlds than the ones who were trapped inside their own failing bodies - they would cry on a daily basis with frustration and pain and some were on so much pain medication that their mental faculties were impaired anyway. My great grandmother died of gangrene at the age of 99 and up till the last day or so her mind was sharp as a tack - because of that she was perfectly aware what was happening to her and was so sad and scared. It was a blessing when her mind failed.

[LoftyLottie]

I suppose it boils down to the level of dementia and the type of dementia. Dementia is a wide ranging condition, it doesn't always mean you don't know what is going on. Many dementia patients know they have dementia for a long time before they completely 'lose their mind' (that's if they ever do completely 'lose their mind'). Being diagnosed with dementia to me would be far worse than knowing I might end up in a wheelchair in my old age, but still have a sharp mind.