Recently, I read research from England that found most people would rather die or be diagnosed with cancer than have dementia.
If I was faced with the choice of dying or living with dementia – I would definitely choose ‘alive with dementia’.
Our Daughterly Care Caregivers embrace our Joyful Living Approach™ as it enables those living with dementia to enjoy activities they love.
These wonderful stories demonstrates that life doesn’t end with a dementia diagnosis.
The first example of our Joyful Living Approach™.
A successful businessman in his 90s comes home from work earlier than expected and what did he find?
He walks quietly through his front door to find his wife and her Daughterly Care Caregiver. They tell him what they have been up-to that day and tells us…
“My wife and her Caregiver were singing a duet in perfect harmony, it was one of my wife’s favourite songs. I had a tear in my eye, as for a moment my wife was as I had long known her. The Caregiver was playing our grand piano in the lounge room. As his smile widened he continued… I hadn’t heard my wife sing for years.”
Yet another client has been caught in the act of Joyful Living with their Daughterly Care Caregiver.
The second example of our Joyful Living Approach™.
A client’s daughter asked Daughterly Care to take her Mum for a walk around Long Reef Headland because her Mother really enjoys that walking track. Our Caregiver learnt that our client had always loved dogs, though she no longer had a dog.
On one particular walk, the Carer’s dog walker arrange to meet the Caregiver and the Elderly client at a bench along the walking track. This enabled the Elderly client to be introduced to the Carer’s German Shepherd, Hillary. The dog was quite old herself, but seeing Hillary and the Elderly client look into each other’s eye with a smile, truly captures our Joyful Living Approach.
This is one of my favourite photos because it captured perfectly that wonderful moment.
Yet another client has been caught in the act of Joyful Living with their Daughterly Care Caregiver.
The third example of our Joyful Living Approach™.
When the Husband of our client came home, he quietly came through the front door so he could see what his wife and her Caregiver got up-to when he is not there…
He told our Registered Nurse Case Manager… “They were in the kitchen with aprons on, the music turned right up and dancing while they were cooking!”
Yet another client has been caught in the act of Joyful Living.
Daughterly Care’s Joyful Living Approach™ focuses on the activities that resonates with each of our clients. The success of the program rests on two main elements. Our highly trained and very experienced Caregiver, as well as our High Care Case Manager who is meticulous in matching the most appropriate Caregiver with each of our clients.
Our approach comprises of several criteria and characteristics but the cornerstone of it’s great success is our Caregivers, Nurses, Case Managers and Care Coordinators.
If you would like to know more about how Daughterly Care can assist you or a Loved One, give us a ring for a confidential discuss on 02 9970 7333
Warmly,
Kylie Lambert
B.Ec F Fin
(known to her friends for 25 years as Kate)
Daughterly Care CEO, Co-Founder and Owner
Good morning,
I just read your latest article which made me smile about the different
ways that your team made your clients happy.
I will try some of them out on my wife as she has been living with dementia for about 2 yrs
now and I am a full time carer so it’s been a real challenge.
Thanks for the wonderful info it helps when you know lots of other people are going through the same situation.
Cheers and best wishes
Hello Tony,
I’m so happy you found our article inspiring. We are so proud of our Caregivers and how they continually bring imagination and true heart felt caring to their clients. It can be challenging being the only carer for someone so don’t think twice about reaching out to us for some help at any time.
All the best Tony and thank you so much for your comments.
A client of mine who adored doing the Sydney Morning Herald crossword every day, became suddenly ill. On this particular day, he did not get the chance to do the puzzle because of nurses and doctors coming in and out of his house. By the afternoon he was completely exhausted and was quietly resting in his chair.
I sat next to him quietly to let him sleep, when without opening his eyes, he said in a soft voice – “how about that crossword”. With his eyes closed, and a lot of focusing on the clues I read out, he enjoyed the crossword for one last time.
Thanks so much for your comment Robin. Often it’s the small things that make all the difference. That’s so much for sharing.
One of my client suffers with some short term memory loss recently moved into a retirement village in St Ives. The village has over 80 units and there are 4 units in her block.
As she was shy I asked if she would be ok if we invited the neighbours in her black for morning tea, she thought it was a good idea. I asked the ladies if they were free to come in at 11 am, YES was the answer and they were very happy to come over.
My client and I baked scones together, set the table with all the jam, cream, napkins etc and it looked fantastic. They all had such a wonderful time they left well past 12.30. Lots of laughter was had by all while getting to know each other.
Now my client has 3 neighbours who will always keep an eye out for her. It was joyful living in the moment!
What a lovely story Wendy. A perfect example of our Joyful Living Approach™ in action. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful story.
My Italian dementia client loved to listen to Opera while we parked in the car and watched the ocean. One day she started singing Italian arias, we practiced every visit and then went along to the Senior Citizens Music Afternoon where attendees are invited to be involved. While I held her hand and prompted her when needed, she sang a lovely rendition to a rousing reception. She was overwhelmed with the joy she had felt in the past entertaining others.
We would also go to the Dog Park at Pittwater and walk around amongst dozens of dogs. Not only did we get exercise, she also joyed meeting so many friendly pooches and their owners. They got to know us and we all enjoyed a chat on our walks.
Hello Jackie,
What a wonderful story. This is a fabulous example of re-empowering Elders. All too often confidence wains with age. How lovely you enabled her to re-experience that special kind of joy. Thanks so much for your comments.
I often do Armchair Travel with my Clients. I collect pictures, borrow books from the library and an appropriate cd of music to the country we are visiting in the comfort of their lounge room. I have been known to dress up in my Belly dancing gear or Indian clothing for some of the places we enjoyed getting to know better!
How delightful Jackie. What a treat it would be to have you as a Caregiver. Sounds like you really enjoy your work. Thanks so much for sharing and happy travelling.
Like most things, knowledge is the key to understanding, and dementia is no different. Daughterly Care explains it in plain English. Not knowing is frightening, but a helping hand, caring, gentle people open doors that shed light on an often difficult and demanding disease.
Wise words Clare. You’re right, knowledge shines a light often dissolving fear that thrives in the dark. We certainly strive to explain issues that can be complex in ways that make it easier to understand. I’m so glad you believe we are succeeding. Thank you so much for your comments.
My client of 4 years + has recently returned home after close to 2 months in respite. There were a few things we needed to catch up on in the home, but the one thing that gave us fun, laughter and joy, was all the plants both in the front and back. Happily they have thrived even without us. Together we worked trimming, watering giving instructions and suggestions all round to sitting back with a cuppa enjoying the simple joy of colour and growth. Simple things from nature has given her a sense of home again. The Joy of Living…..
Thanks so much for sharing Wendy. These are the types of activities that mean the world to people. Sharing it with someone else that appreciates the same things as they do really makes a big difference in the lives of people no matter what their age.
For the past year my moma has been different,I’m scared to speak out anything negative but the obvious that something is wrong is taking a toll on me.My mother graduated with honors so smart always used big words most couldn’t understand and now she will try to refer to the simplest thing be it a object or whatever as “that thingy”and there is so much more.I can’t get her to go to the Dr to get checked out,.Im really scared.My mom is my best friend on Earth besides God up above.