It is no secret I have a weakness for hot chocolate.
It is still my hot beverage of choice, long after my peers switched to a daily coffee habit. So what does hot chocolate have to do with dementia? Everything and nothing at all.
Nothing at all? Our lives do not become a compressed, medical version of ourselves when dementia enters the picture. So moments for play, a treat, or a visit from a loved one should never become a line item on the care plan or viewed with a medical lens. It should happen simply because, and enjoyed for the beauty of being in a relationship with a loved one.
Life is made up of Moments. Dementia does not change this; these moments become more important with dementia. They are moments of joy, sorrow, care, and faith. So make some hot chocolate in your favorite mug, sit down, breathe, and savor the moment.
Take a breath, make yourself a mug of hot chocolate, and pause.
Pause again. Take another breath.
Have you ever permitted yourself to sit in silence with your loved ones, clients, or residents?
We sometimes feel the need to fill every moment with something, with sounds, actions, and words. This is true in almost every aspect of life, but especially true when we are caring for someone living with dementia. I once worked with someone who unless a resident was sleeping or eating dinner, every moment was filled with something. Routine and a structured calendar are important, but so is the silence, the impromptu moments filled with nothing but the silent company of another.
Some of my favorite moments came from taking a few moments to sit in silence sitting next to someone. We would look out the window, watch the glow from the fireplace, or even people-watching as a performer or staff set up for an event. These moments of pause brought forth stories, connections, and even laughter and awe.
If you need permission to take a few moments to sit in silence with someone you are caring for -even if only for 30 seconds – this is it.
