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Rhymes & Reasons

Category: Health & Wellness / Topics: Compassion Health Care Memory (failing, improving) Relationships

The Dilemma of Dementia

by Greg Asimakoupoulos

Posted: October 22, 2017

A call to compassion…

When someone you love doesn't know that it's you,
you die just a little unsure what to do.
But as their eyes smile and twinkle with joy,
you know that you still have a bond.

When someone you love has been robbed of their mind,
they say things that hurt you. They aren't always kind.
But then you remember their memory is shot
and actions are fueled by their fear.

When someone you love is confused and afraid,
you suffer in silence but still wouldn't trade
the gift of their presence and all that they are
and who they have been through the years.

When someone you love has forgotten your name,
you swallow your pride and then make it your aim
to be fully present, to reach for their hand
and gently remind them they're loved.

*This poem is dedicated to the families with whom I am privileged to minister who are impacted by dementia



Search all articles by Greg Asimakoupoulos

Greg Asimakoupoulos (pronounced AWESOME-uh-COPE-uh-less) is an ordained minister, published author and chaplain to a retirement community in the Pacfic Northwest. Greg maintains a blog called Rhymes and Reasons, which he graciously provides to SeniorLifestyle.

Greg's writings have now been assembled in book form. See the SeniorLifestyle Store.

E-mail the author (moc.loa@veRemosewA*) Author's website (personal or primary**)

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Posted: October 22, 2017   Accessed 1,052 times

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