Health & Fitness
Facing the Great Outdoors with Dementia
Taking Dad into the great outdoors was ambitious! Through experience we learn what and what not to do.
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” — Rachel Carson
Taking Dad into the great outdoors was ambitious, but my sister and I anticipated the challenge and learned A LOT! Being out of his usual routine, Dad was confused and frustrated. He kept forgetting to use his cane, tried walking up the trailer steps without help, and was irritated when we tried to assist him.
Even taking him on a short walk posed safety challenges. We had to carefully plan ways that made Dad feel useful and significant. Saving his pride is most important and makes him feel good about himself. For instance, we asked him to make decisions about where to place his chair and put the picnic table. He chose what we ate for dinner and took part in basic camping rituals. We asked him questions about past trips that he could recall which kept the conversation going and distracted Dad from wandering. One of us kept an eye on him at all times!
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When we came home from camping, Dad asked where my sister and I were going to sleep. This caught us off guard. He forgot that we lived with him after being gone for a two-day camping trip.
Being out of his element and his routine had exhausted him and us. We moved in with him when our mother passed away three years earlier. This was such a heartbreaking situation, we had to stop and slow down before anything else. We slowly and gently acclimated Dad back to his routine. Exhausted and happy to be home, we asked ourselves if the camp trip was a good idea for Dad or us? Mistake, maybe? A learning experience to keep going, YES!
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We are doing the best that we can, keeping Dad safe, happy, healthy, and knowing that he is loved by us. If you are in any situation similar to this, you must keep doing the best that you can, seek advice from others, and know that taking care of your elderly parent when they cannot do for themselves is one of the best things that you can give back. They took good care of us when we were young, and now they need us. May God bless you and watch over you when times are difficult.
Lori Holmgren RN, MSN
