An Alzheimer’s Patient Experiences Profound Love
As I was driving home I realized he wouldn't remember that feeling the next day or perhaps even the following hour, but he had experienced love for those few moments and that's what mattered.
By Marie Marley
Alzheimer's Reading Room
It is often said that pets and children reach dementia patients on a level people cannot.
Every time Ed, my Romanian soul mate of 30 years, saw my little Shih Tzu, Peter, he said, "Oh, the lee-tle one. I love him so much."
I often took Peter to the Alois Alzheimer Center, a wonderful long-term care facility in Cincinnati for patients with dementia. And most of the time, as soon as we'd enter the lobby, Peter was the center of attention.
Tom would suddenly smile, which made me smile, too. Carol would cradle her little bear in her left arm, lean down, and pet Peter with her right hand.
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I knew Joyce liked Peter but since her eyesight was so poor she couldn't see him. So I'd pick him up and hold him close to her face. With a vacant expression, she'd pet his head. Often he responded by licking her face, which she allowed until he started licking her right on her lips. Then she turned her head away in disgust.
I found Ed in his room dressed nicely in black Dockers and a crisp red and white pin-striped shirt one day when I arrived with Peter. Ed was dozing in his wheelchair, as had become usual.
"Hi, Ed. Here we are," I said, certain my voice was loud enough to awaken him.
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Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - Category: Dementia Authors: Bob DeMarco Source Type: blogs
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