tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post6395218704877208452..comments2023-11-14T00:05:35.172-05:00Comments on One of Life's Little Surprises: Word Finding; It's a Guessing GameCarolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-89155562210677487932016-10-25T08:04:34.295-04:002016-10-25T08:04:34.295-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09818923390199986648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-46466406047840573902016-09-12T05:47:08.660-04:002016-09-12T05:47:08.660-04:00We went out to dinner this weekend with friends of...We went out to dinner this weekend with friends of ours. Jim did not display any of his usual word finding difficulties. In retrospect, I believe he avoided talking about anything where he would have struggled with finding a word. It was light hearted conversation, which was easy for him.<br /><br />Does this mean that at some level he knows of his deficit (subconsciously)? I believe he feels very "safe" with me, and feels comfortable with revealing his word finding difficulty and allowing me to help him with the conversation. Perhaps I'm not seeing this when others are around, as he may be careful to limit his conversation to language that flows more easily for him.<br /><br />It is on the one hand, clinically interesting to note the difference. But sad from a personal perspective. Thanks for your comment Joared! I appreciated your most recent post, by the way.Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-79289048327651630332016-09-12T04:29:49.504-04:002016-09-12T04:29:49.504-04:00I think it must be challenging to not respond alwa...I think it must be challenging to not respond always and with logic as we generally do. Repestedlyi doing so expect it gradually becomes more automátic. <br />Glad you had a happy birthday celebration & able to be out other times with friends. Wonder if you can use some consistent phrases like "show me" or "point to" for some word finding? Also, if not now, maybe at some time having pictures helps some to point to. joaredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09999395062839739698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-51081858216570442362016-09-08T15:14:34.229-04:002016-09-08T15:14:34.229-04:00Yes, in more advanced cases you are so right. Jim ...Yes, in more advanced cases you are so right. Jim still is good for getting around locally. He also prefers to have me with him when he wants to go some place. So that is a good thing! :-)Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-86573669396683474732016-09-08T09:55:07.140-04:002016-09-08T09:55:07.140-04:00It's good that you can leave him at home for b...It's good that you can leave him at home for brief periods of time, because in some cases, the patient does wander off in the neighborhood and gets lost.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-45175548744756573372016-09-08T08:01:30.416-04:002016-09-08T08:01:30.416-04:00Virtual support group...it does feel that way! I l...Virtual support group...it does feel that way! I like that! You'll have to let me know how you like Maria Marley's book. Thanks for your comment Jan. I definitely feel a kinship with you and what you (and I) are going through.Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-67198758163244508892016-09-08T06:55:06.245-04:002016-09-08T06:55:06.245-04:00Oh Carole, what a poignant description of how it g...Oh Carole, what a poignant description of how it goes for you, some days! I do appreciate the detail you offer - it's like being in a virtual support group. I also appreciate the book suggestion - found that Maria Marley's are available on Kindle for only $4 or so, and ordered one for my "library". I do all my Alzheimer-related reading on the iPad, so the books aren't lying around the house causing upset or embarrassment. I wish to the depths of my heart that we could discuss and read about Alzheimer's together - but that is apparently not going to be the case. So, I feel my way along, judging the best way to handle all the various things that happen.<br />And I'll tell you this - I definitely prefer peace!Jabberwalky08https://www.blogger.com/profile/06554545417173075680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-75124450281010559982016-09-07T15:45:32.957-04:002016-09-07T15:45:32.957-04:00Thanks Patti. Jim and I found each other so many ...Thanks Patti. Jim and I found each other so many years ago and really have given each other a wonderful life. We have a nice home, are financially comfortable, love each other and still enjoy each other's company. When I have my discouraging moments, it helps to put everything in perspective when I remember how lucky we both are to have found each other in this life. <br /><br />Thanks for your encouraging words :-)Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-82434669438649481092016-09-07T12:59:51.946-04:002016-09-07T12:59:51.946-04:00I so admire your desire to be at peace rather than...I so admire your desire to be at peace rather than right. I know some people would find that almost impossible to manage as they have to be right. How stressful that must be. Jim is so lucky to have you on his side. Arkansas Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14156004753267665579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-79883080349292783082016-09-07T10:26:46.285-04:002016-09-07T10:26:46.285-04:00Thanks DJan. Hugs right back to you :-)
I think t...Thanks DJan. Hugs right back to you :-)<br /><br />I think that some of us are more in tune, or more sensitive to cognitive changes we experience as we age. On the one hand, you have someone like Jim who is very impaired, but has no awareness of his significant decline. Then there are folks like you and me, who may have a lapse now and then, or may require notes to ourselves to help us remember, or maybe have an occasional lapse finding the right word. This https://www.alz.org/national/documents/aa_brochure_10warnsigns.pdf<br />is a great article that succinctly shows the difference between normal aging and Alzheimer's. I think it will reassure you :-)Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-20480681120709433162016-09-07T08:20:18.318-04:002016-09-07T08:20:18.318-04:00I also am glad you write these posts, Carole. I do...I also am glad you write these posts, Carole. I don't know how bad the mental problems we, hubby and I, have cognitively, but they are definitely there. We are both in our mid-seventies and do everything we can to keep ourselves mentally and physically active. Like you said, how does one know for sure what is normal aging and what is not? I read your posts with an open mind and compare your experiences with my own. My heart goes out to the two of you. Sending you a virtual hug. :-)DJanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07152183871573797791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-53094782419600984912016-09-06T20:02:10.056-04:002016-09-06T20:02:10.056-04:00No, Jim is not aware that he has any deficits. He ...No, Jim is not aware that he has any deficits. He believes that any memory lapses are simply a part of normal aging. From what I have read, it is fairly common for those with dementia to not be aware of their deficits. <br /><br />I've come to the conclusion that it's a gift that he doesn't know. I think he would be very depressed if he was aware. And, nothing really to gain since he would not be able to "fix" the problem.<br /><br />I'm inspired by your writing Linda. It gives me encouragement to read how you handle different situations. So glad we have this opportunity to share with each other.Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-79734249249625720892016-09-06T19:26:37.751-04:002016-09-06T19:26:37.751-04:00I've forgotten, does Jim realize he has a prob...I've forgotten, does Jim realize he has a problem? Listen, I will agree to just about anything to get out of one of those word tangles. I long ago gave up thinking I had to be right. I just want the session ended. Bob talks a lot. Much of what he says is just talk, doesn't need an answer. I'd be happy for him to talk and talk if he didn't require me to respond. He never gives me a break. If my mind wanders & I don't make some noise of recognition he gets upset. Some days I long for silence and to not have to repeat everything I say. You are lucky you were able to distract Jim to wait until tomorrow. It's not easy to distract Bob.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11586429675286969340noreply@blogger.com