This week, I got to visit the assisted living facility for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. Unlike the children’s hospital and the big hospital, I have many residents that I see regularly. Like the girl who always asks for high fives. And the cat-loving woman who comes down, but is still there to tell me she loves me. And the loud guy who acts out, but who was surprisingly calmed by my appearance this time.
One regular I don’t often meet is a blind man in a wheelchair. I will only visit him if he asks the staff for help. And this time, he did, so he touched my soft fur.
I also met some newer people, and residents I hadn’t seen before. The staff put on some funky disco music from the 1970s, and I sat next to a woman who was really listening to the tunes. And there was a younger man there. Maybe he’s in his forties. Which is a reminder that some types of dementia strike early. A couple of older men spent time with me. One in particular was an animal lover and had many in his previous life.
I spent a lot of time there, but I still managed to go to the second house. Usually quieter and less crowded. But I have some regulars there. One girl had the softest blanket on her lap, and you know I wanted to hang out there! There was also a friendly man that my man had seen there several times. He wasn’t sure if he was a resident or a visitor. But this time he found out that he was a resident. Sometimes it’s hard to tell.
What I love about visiting these residents is that many of them recognize me at each visit. And when they don’t, it’s like making a new friend.
Here are some of my other assisted living visits:
