Slowly Drifting Further Into A World People By Ghosts

[sandyRoe]

My sister is increasingly talking about her late husband, our brother, and our mother. She no longer mentions that she's being robbed. But now carries her purse, building society pass book, and some photos, everywhere she goes. She sometimes doesn't recognise me, asking, 'What time will Sandy be back'? I first thought to ask who she thought I was, but instead just gently said, I'm Sandy.
Not a question, or a rant, just a melancholy meditation.

[gness]

Hi, Sandy.....I don't ask my mum who she thinks I am any more......I just go along with who she sees in front of her......

But I sit and look at her and wonder what is going through her mind.....she tries to tell me what happened and who was at Mass this morning...it's years since she was able to go to Mass.....but in her mind she has a memory of a morning service....who was there....what the priest said to her....

Sad and sometimes difficult to watch, isn't it..........Gx

[paddywak]

So sad when this happens sandy.A old friend of ours who has no family living close by has recently had to go into care.We try to visit a couple of times a week but he's going down hill rapidly.Sometimes he can recognises us and talks normally other times he's away with the fairies like the other week when he was telling us about the visit he'd had from his brother and sister both of them dead for many years.As i said sandy it's sad but you can't do anything but keep on visiting and doing what you can.

[jennyjoan]

It is very sad for the carer. My friend of 80 is now talking of how are my brothers are keeping - all dead. Also how is my sister's daughter - she never had a daughter only a son who is deceased.

I find it difficult to have a conversation since I know she is not taking it on board. And I haven't been to see for a while but will be going soon. She is lucky as she has a good husband and an excellent niece.

[Mosaic]

A dear lady, friend of a friend, tried to make conversation during visit to relative with dementia. Being a bit refined, the dear old lady asked her sweetly....'and, is your father, still dead?'
It's a hard thing to go through on both sides, but given the afflicted one is physically safe, they aren't always unhappy.