Recently, Italkedto a friend and colleagueaboutmy interest in doing a workshop on self-determination for people with dementia. Shecouldn't see howself-determinationapplied in those situations.
I reminded her about my mom's life.She had osteoporosis andvascular dementia, which is the second most commonkind of dementia. afterAlzheimer's disease.We used COP and waiver funds to hire self-employed personal care workers and the county contracted witha homecare agency to provide my mother services several hours a day. (Was she "self-directing" those services?)
The outcomes were what mattered. My mother was (usually) supported by the aides she liked the most. She got her shower and breakfast at the best time for her-- mid-morning. She decided what to have for lunch, when she had it, and whether or not it would be on the front porch. My mom was assisted to host parties, have her cocktail hour at 5:00, get a break from me and enjoy life in her community. We helped her keep track of what wasgoing on.She never doubted that she was loved and respected......
My friend stopped me. OK, I surrender. I told her that was disappointing. I was just getting warmed up.
updated by @terry-lynch: 02/23/16 03:06:00AM
