Reflection, Reframing and Reimagining (repeat of Episode 4, Season 1)
Susan Bithrey and her husband Reg were looking forward to the perfect retirement until life interrupted. Susan describes how she reframed her experience and found ways to affirm her husband’s strengths, even as they diminished. In the process, she found new strengths within herself.
As a retirement gift, Susan was given a journal to record their many “golden year’s” adventures that they had planned together. Instead it sat empty until a year before Reg’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis when she started to keep an account of her concerns about his memory struggles. It became a five-volume tool for documenting the disease and for reflective learning for her and she generously shares her very poignant first entry with us.
Susan honestly reflects on having to learn on the job of becoming a caregiver; figuring out how and when to roll up her sleeves and jump in and when to have Reg speak for himself, make his own decisions and recognize his ability to do so. She also bravely shares some stories surrounding the heartbreaking personality changes that her husband went through and recommends grief counseling for caregivers in this situation.
Her humble and wise words to conclude this episode will resonate with anyone else encountering the same circumstances.
Resources that may be helpful to listeners of this episode include:
Shifting the Focus – a quick guide to behaviours associated with dementia and some tips on responses. https://brainxchange.ca/Public/Files/Behaviour/ShiftingFocusBooklet.aspx
In Ontario, there is an extensive network related to behavioural supports that includes services, as well as information resources. They can be accessed at https://www.behaviouralsupportsontario.ca
The Research Institute on Aging at the University of Waterloo publishes a series –By Us, For Us which are information booklets created by people with lived experience. These can be found at https://the-ria.ca/resources/by-us-for-us-guides/
S’adapter pour mieux vivre!
Episode 46: Young-Onset Dementia: changing the narrative
Episode 45- Communication through improv- Arts 7
Balado 2- Vivre le moment présent et profiter de la vie
Young Onset Dementia: One family’s story Pt. 2: the children’s perspectives
Young Onset Dementia: One family’s story on how a diagnosis impacted their lives- Season 4, Episode 42
Pandémie et mesures sanitaires : un défi pour les personnes atteintes de troubles neuro-cognitifs, leur entourage et les intervenants
Arts and Dementia Series- Healing through the arts: The journeys of one woman and a son and his father
We all have a part to play: Reimagining Dementia- Season 4, Episode 41
From 3 to 4
Connecting through Music - Season 3, Episode 40 and #4 in our Arts & Dementia Series
In your seat and on your feet – Accessible dance, Season 3-Episode 39
Living Fully & Meaningfully, Season 3, Episode 38
Listen to You
From Research to Action on 2SLGBTQI & Dementia, Season 3, Episode 37
Hearts and the Arts, Season 3, Episode #36
Reigniting Canada‘s Dementia Strategy, Season 3, Ep #35
Dementia Inclusive Choices for Exercise
Dementia: It's A Family Affair
The Solidarity of Sisterhood: Women living with dementia- Season 3, Episode 32
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