02/18/2026
Understanding dementia
BY: Linda Eutsler
Posted by Donna Plunkett StClair August 30, 2018
How many times do we hear people thoughtlessly joke about "Alzheimer's Disease"? I've never heard anyone joke about cancer or ALS or heart disease. No-- our foolish comments are reserved for those who are suffering from dementia--an unimaginable form of hell. Maybe if we knew better ...
BY: Linda Eutsler
Most people think of dementia as just becoming forgetful. Dementia is so much more. To understand what dementia really looks like, go on an imagination trip.
Imagine you wake up tomorrow morning and you are in a strange house, in a strange bed, and there is someone in the house, you have never seen before. You know someone has stolen your wallet and your money.
Now, imagine you do not know where the bathroom is, how to get a glass of water and do not know if it is day or night. You see people coming through the windows, the floor on fire, and wonder where your mom went and when she will be back, a mom that died over 50 years ago. You worry about your daughters and why they are not home from school yet, even though they are in their 40's and 50's.
Your body is so stiff and rigid that walking is difficult. You cannot see anything outside of a space the size of a shoebox and do not understand that by looking up, down or to the side, that you can see more. You get unbalanced and fall, but your muscles have weakened to the point you cannot move or lift yourself up. You cannot cut your toenails or wash your own feet. You have not showered or changed your clothes in days, but in your mind, you just took a shower and put on clean clothes. You know you need to shave, but do not remember how or believe you use a comb as a razor.
You have things to say, but after 2 or 3 words, you forget what it was. You try to say a common word, but only gibberish comes out. No one understands you, so you just give up.
You have always been patient & kind to everyone, your spouse has never seen you lose your temper or say a harsh word. You have always put their needs above your own. Now, you curse at them, throw things, threaten them and others, and tell them to get out of your house on a daily basis.
Your relationship with God was the most important part of your life. Now, you do not understand who God is, how to pray, or even want to go to church.
You loved to travel and go places, now you throw a fit if you are away from home for more than a few minutes.
You do not know the month, year, day, time or season. You do not know anyone around you, and everyone and everything is strange.
Now imagine you are not even aware of these changes taking place, but you are not allowed to drive anymore, or even allowed to mow the yard. People stop coming to see you and talk to you like a child.
These are just a few things a dementia sufferer goes through daily. They are no longer the same person, but they still see themselves as the same, and everything and everyone else has changed.
Dementia is so much more than just forgetfulness. There is no cure, you will never improve, your brain deteriorates to the point it no longer tells your body and organs what to do, so it shuts down, and you will die within a few years.
So when you hear someone has dementia, think about what it really means, it is not just forgetting things.
Dementia is so much more than just forgetfulness. There is no cure; you will never improve, your brain deteriorates to the point it no longer tells your body and organs what to do, so it shuts down, and you will die within a few years.
~ Tracey~ ❤️
