Page 45 - Changes and Challenges

Dementia
Changes and Challenges
Flintstone’. This is because it may not be likely that I can easily connect your
references to the particular ‘Fred’ you have in mind.

I now often say that I have Pedantic Semantic Frontotemporal Dementia. My
background in the sciences has trained me to avoid ambiguous language or
terminology that is confusing or imprecise. I understand that language is
evolving (some might say de-volving), but that does not excuse using words
inappropriately or contrary to their meaning. Words should mean what they
mean, not what people would like them to mean.

I think I speak for all with Dementia when I say we need language that is clear
and concise, with simple and clear explanations when we require more.

Emotional Changes.
Another significant change that has a variety of impacts are the emotional
changes that come with many forms of Dementia. Some significant things for
people to be aware of include the following;

• Neural degeneration is the cause. We don’t decide to express
ourselves this way. Our Dementia has eroded many of our learned
social controls. As such we may be more emotionally honest than
‘normal’ people and react in ways that can be confronting.
• Not all emotional changes are bad. I find our now readily shed tears of
5
joy. When I listen to good music I sometimes will cry. This is
especially so if I can enhance the experience by viewing the written
lyrics.
• If I seam angry when you talk to me, it is most likely your fault,
because it is definitely not my fault!
When you come to accept these changes, you can see some of the benefits.

5 I only like good music, that is music from the 60’s and 70’s with very rare exceptions.
1984 represents the year that music died.
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