Illustration by Josie Ford.
The Mind’s Fading Light
by Dr. Praveen G Pai MBBS, BCCPM, PG.Dip.Ger(Malta), MPH, MSc. Gerontology (UK) | Public Health Specialist, Palliative Care Physician & Gerontologist
Memories, like stars in the night,
Once bright, now dim, out of sight.
The mind’s fading light, a mournful plight,
Dementia’s shadow, a thief in flight.
Faces and names, a fleeting glimpse,
Lost in the haze, the mind’s eclipse.
Words and thoughts, a tangled mess,
Struggling to find a way to express.
The past and present, a tangled web,
Moments once cherished, now seem like a neb.
Days, months, years, lost in time,
The mind’s grip, no longer able to climb.
Familiar faces, now strangers in sight,
Voices once loved, now muffled in flight.
The world around, a foreign land,
The mind’s grasp, slipping through the sand.
Yet, in the midst of the confusion and strife,
Love remains, a constant light in life.
The heart’s memories, a guiding star,
Love’s warmth, shining near and far.
The mind’s fading light, a mournful plight,
But love’s enduring flame, a shining light.
For in the heart’s embrace, memories do live,
A tribute to love, and all it can give.
Insights from Dr. Praveen G Pai on promoting wellbeing for people with dementia
Barriers
- In most of the cases encountered by me in my clinical practice, dementia is undetected in its early stages and this is a major challenge.
- There is still a lot of stigma and misunderstanding around dementia, which can make it hard for people to get the support and care they need. This can make them feel isolated and lonely, which isn’t great for their mental health. During the early stages, the person with dementia and family members go through a lot of adjustment issues and inter-personal problems that may even result in elder-abuse.
- Another thing is that people with dementia might have a hard time communicating their needs and feelings. This can be frustrating for them and for the people trying to care for them, which can make things more challenging all around. On top of all that, people with dementia might also have physical health issues that can make it harder for them to feel their best as they may not be able to express their symptoms appropriately.
Recommendations
- We need to raise awareness and educate people about dementia so that they have a better understanding of what it is and how it affects people. This can help early detection and early intervention of the condition and also reduce the stigma.
- We also need to provide person-centred care, which basically means tailoring our approach to the individual person’s needs and preferences. This can involve doing activities that they enjoy and are able to do, and finding ways to communicate with them that work for them.
- Encouraging physical activity and healthy habits can also make a big difference in how people with dementia feel. Things like gentle exercise, eating well, and socializing can help improve their physical and mental wellbeing.
- Overall, there’s a lot we can do to promote wellbeing for people with dementia, and it starts with understanding, empathy and “un-conditional love”.
Return to the success stories overview page.
