When you're caring for someone who is living with dementia, some skills are obviously essential - kindness, patience and sensitivity, to name a few. Arguably, an even greater skill that's needed is the ability to maintain meaningful connections as the disease progresses. Being able to listen and engage can make the difference between meaningless words and meaningful interactions. I have never forgotten being puzzled by an older woman who, in the midst of her dementia, would sit wringing her hands and repeating over and over the phrase "man like me". All became clear when her brother visited - she calmed down, and her eyes brightened as she recognised him. He was the "man" who was most "like me".
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