"Dementia is only a small part of life; it is an illness. I live as best I can while I can and not dwell on this dementia thing. I try to set it aside. What I would like to say to people being diagnosed, it is not the end of life. It is a new life in the slow lane of dementia; you’ll change, but it is not all bad. "

The quote above is from - de Neef, Ash. "Life in the Slow Lane of Dementia". Aged Care Enrichment Podcast • SilVR Adventures Pty Lt. September, 2020.

"As we become more emotional and less cognitive, it’s the way you talk to us, not what you say, that we will remember.  We know the feeling, but don’t know the plot.  Your smile, your laugh and your touch are what we will connect with.  Empathy heals.  Just love us as we are.  We are still here, in emotion and spirit, if only you could find us. "

The quote above is from - Bryden, Christine. "Dancing with Dementia". Jessica Kingsley Publishers. London. 2005.

For Reflection...

After reading those quotes, take a few minutes to reflect on the following questions. Feel free to make some notes.

• What stood out for you as important messages?
• Now that you’ve heard some of Christine’s thoughts, what will you continue to do as you move forward? What will you stop or do differently?

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More Learning Resources

Dancing with Dementia by Christine Bryden

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