(*) Norm still around

You might remember I've been visiting an elderly chap 'Norm' in one of the local nursing homes about once a week, just to keep him company and help him have another friend while he's slowly disappearing into his dementia. I've caught up with him twice this week - just quick 10-minute visits. Tuesday was the first time I'd seen him really 'bad' and muddled/disoriented in the past few weeks since we've been getting to know each other. It was a little disturbing at first, but I just took it as it comes. It's nothing personal, it's just how the disease progresses - good one day, not so the next. Then 2 days' later, he was the same ol' Norm I'd been hanging out with for the past few weeks. Funny how it works like that... actually, the local library have a large collection of books and videos about caring and dealing with people going thru dementia, so they'll be getting some closer attention as the months' progress. Healthwise, he seems quite strong, which is sad sometimes, as his memory is so fragmented at times. There are other people living in the wing with him that are in much much poorer condition, both health and understanding-wise. I don't know how he copes in there, but he seems happy enough. He seems to be the youngest of the people in his immediate area (he's only in his late 60's), but he's not mentally alert enough to be left alone for too long, poor bloke. He's a nice bloke too. I'm still enjoying visiting him tho, as sad as it feels somedays. Not to worry.

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See? I TOLD you not to sit so CLOSE to the computer!!!