It’s impossible not to thank you

My experience with my mother and Alzheimer’s:

My mother can’t see. That does not stop me from using laughter, does not stop me from trying to make her laugh. As it turns out she is not ticklish… it doesn’t matter, I have found other ways, and I will find many more if I try hard enough.

She is very sensitive. I have been able to see for myself how the advance of the disease slows down thanks to the cognitive stimulation done at Afaga. It’s been a year and nine months since she started going there and I’m proud of your work.

When I ask her, she can hardly tell me what she has done, but she comes home happy and tells me that she talks and talks…and that makes her happy.

She is more receptive towards affection and touch than ever. She was always very severe, now, a hug will immediately make her smile.

I have also found an ally in music. Luckily she is, still, very cheerful, but she needs a little push. I tell her ridiculous situations of my everyday life, or stories from the past, and we smile and remember together. To her voice is key.

Just a little push and her face lights up. I can notice she is happy when she gets reed of those dark clouds that sometimes accompany her. I’m struck by how easily she joins in the happiness, the handshake, the touch. A simple humming and she stops when she is lost.

She joins in, we sing together, she takes a deep breath, her face changes, her breath evens out…she connects very well.

Laughter, what a good tool for everyone! I will always remember these moments when we laughed together.

I will learn!

All help is fundamental, to know, learn and…act!

I can only thank you for all you have done: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!