What’s so Funny About Dementia?

By Pam Mullarkey Robbins Ph.D.

“Dr. Pam” uses her unique caregiving experiences to warm your hearts. You will laugh hilariously as she shares stories about caring for her mother who had Alzheimer’s dis-ease. In addition, reading about special intimate moments of a parent and child dealing with a disease, will allow you to identify with their pain and feel their frustrations.

Each adventure will lighten your day and enable you to see people with dementia in a very different way. Getting through caregiving is difficult enough, but without a sense of humor, it can be totally exasperating! Using first hand experiences, Dr. Pam gives wonderful advice to help lighten the load for caregivers. She encourages people to continue running their race until they reach their finish line and finish their course.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Sep 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664237209

Pam Mullarkey Robbins Ph.D.

Dr. Pam M. Robbins graduated from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, FL with a BS in Healthy and Physical Education. She went back to JU to earn her MAT, Masters in the Art of Teaching. She also graduated from Logos Graduate School with a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion (Christian Counseling).

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Copyright © 2021 Pam Mullarkey Robbins, Ph.D.

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This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author

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of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

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Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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ISBN: 978-1-6642-3719-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-3718-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-3720-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021911914

WestBow Press rev. date: 9/28/2021

CONTENTS

I Introduction

II Introducing My Mom Prior To Alzheimer’s

III Recognizing When Someone Has The Disease

IV Understanding The Combative Stage

V Playing Games Can Help You Get Cooperation

VI Discovering Games Sometimes Don’t Work

VII Getting Dirty Is Probably Unavoidable!

VIII Looking For The Right Nursing Home

IX Realizing The Person’s Spirit Is Still Alive And Well!

X Finding Special Guests At The Nursing Home

XI Fearing Death Caused Tremendous Anxiety

XII Dying Is An Important Part Of Life

XIII Fighting The Disease

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INTRODUCTION

Written by Pam Mullarkey Robbins, Ph.D.

FACTS ABOUT THIS DISEASE

1. More Than Six Million Americans Are Living With Alzheimer’s.

2. Alzheimer’s Disease Is The Sixth Leading Cause Of Death In The United States.

3. One In Three Seniors Dies With Alzheimer’s Or Another Form Of Dementia-Related Disease.

4. In 2020, Alzheimer’s/Other Dementias Cost The Nation $305 Billion.

5. Common Behavioral Symptoms Of Alzheimer’s Include Sleeplessness, Wandering, Agitation, Anxiety, And Aggression.

(Fact Sheet, National Institute on Aging, 2019)

PURPOSE IN WRITING THIS BOOK

I found to survive being a caregiver for someone with dementia, it helps to acquire a wonderful sense of humor. Every single day we might cry, get angry, or become frustrated, as we continually repeat answers to their same questions. These emotions are all very normal for caregivers and family members. To survive helping someone with this disease, I suggest trying to find nuggets of humor hidden behind the veil of exhaustion and fear that overwhelm us. Watching the person you know and love start to disappear can be frightening. Not knowing what you can do to stop this disease causes tremendous stress and worry. Sleepless nights are a part of this job, yet sleep is what we need most to be able to deal with our everyday challenges and emotions. Hiding this disease from others is what we usually try to do, yet this is when we need other people’s help the most. Not knowing when to let other people know your loved one has dementia can cause us to isolate ourselves, even from our own family members. We think we are trying to protect the person with the disease, but actually, others probably already know something is wrong.

What I am about to suggest will take a change of mind and discipline to accomplish, but if you can try to see the humor in what you are dealing with, your stress level can be reduced. The alternative is daily anxiety, anger and often feelings of depression and loneliness.

Remember life really is short! Research has shown that people who laugh each and every day live 10 years longer than people who don’t. So, let’s get ready to live longer through laughter!

I am sharing with you some great true stories of the funniest things people say and do when they have dementia. I will share some of my mother’s tales. Her name was Lois Hiller Allen, and she was my very best friend all my life. I believe she was the sweetest woman on Earth. She would always tell me how much she loved me and she believed in me. She was my main support person. I could tell her anything whenever I needed to talk. She never judged me. Instead, she would make me solve my own problems through using critical thinking skills. She knew