Might be good to have a Probate Attorney on to have an open discussion about legal preparations families need to make as early as possible in the dementia journey along with how a Probate Attorney actually evaluates a client's ability to legally make important decisions regarding Living Wills, Final Wills, Durable General & Medical Powers of Attorney, and other Estate decisions.

Progression is hard to watch, I see it all. However. It is the joy I choose to see. Tuesdays is grand kid and dog day. We had a wonderful time at a sunflower farm. When we were done Lexia (11) and Lincoln (7) asked if we could go see Great Grand Papa Joe. My ❤️ was exploding when they asked. He didnt have his dentures in or glasses on so he looked different to them. They dove right in. Without being told told, no questions, no worries just pure love for Papa. We got in the car and Lexia said "I am happy he does not remember all he did before or he would be sad." After trying to get the 🦷 dentures in with no success Lincoln got his 👓glasses on him. "There Papa, now you can see me better."

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB412 There is a bill before our california state legislature requiring at least 5 hours dementia awareness training for professional home care aides. The bill, SB-412 Home care aides (2025-2026), will be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Please contact your state representatives and ask them to support SB412 introduced by Senator Limon. You can use this link to find your reps https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov

Often my colleagues and I provide activities for the residents of memory care communities in the Sacramento area. About a year ago, we were trying to think of something fun and different to do and we decided to create a game called "music trivia." I learned many years ago that music was one of the longest lasting memories for people suffering from dementia. So, we brought a speaker, created a playlist and grabbed some little prizes for the winners and we were off. Since we had never done this before, we really didn't know how it would go over. The community gathered all the residents into the activity room, and we introduced ourselves and explained the game. We would play a song and anyone that knew the name of the song, the artist or could at least sing the words of the song would win a prize. We had purchased enough prizes so that everyone could eventually "win". We fully anticipated that we would have to help each resident remember the correct answer, but we hoped that just hearing the music and watching Lindsey and I dance and sing along would provide some fun for them. We played the first song and many of the residents started moving or tapping their feet a bit and one sweet woman raised her hand. Much to our surprise, SHE KNEW the name of the song. We were so excited. Then we played the second song, Dean Martin's hit - That's Amore - and the most amazing thing happened. Every one of the residents started singing! They knew the words, they tapped their feet, a few got up and danced and they smiled and laughed with each other. These were men and women we had spent time with previously and many of them had a hard time communicating a full, complete and on topic sentence throughout the activity. I looked over at Lindsey and she at me and we both had tears streaming down our checks. It was a magic moment. THERE they were. We had made a connection. I looked out at their faces; I didn't see the disease or the wrinkles or the mismatched outfits..... I saw a glimpse of each of them as teenagers singing along to the radio.

Here’s a question. My mom never learned to use an iPhone and now it’s too late. Is there a device to make it easy for my mom to call me when she is unsettled? Or even to let me know that she needs me to call her. What have yall used?