– EMPATHIZE –Caregiver Word of the Day
My friend Helen’s mother has Alzheimer’s. One morning Margaret called Helen in a panic and said, “All of my money is gone! My bank account is has been emptied out and I’m completely broke.”
Helen calmly explained to her mother that she was confused. She said, “I’m managing your money, Mother. I pay all your bills, and you still have have lots of money in the bank.” The more she tried to explain the more upset Margaret became. The next morning Margaret called again crying that all of her money had been stolen. This went on for days before Helen called me.
I suggested Helen respond to her mother as if the situation was real. So the next morning when Margaret […]