READ MOREA joyful way to communicate with a loved one who has dementia

My grandmother had dementia and it was very difficult to communicate with her because she couldn’t participate in our conversation.  I tried to find things from her past that she could relate to.  I would take her for drives to view the landscape.  She loved flowers and trees, so when the cherry blossoms bloom in Washington, DC. we would go see them.  It was such a joy to see her smile and mention over and over how beautiful they were.  What a gift that was and what a special memory for me.  My grandmother died 7 years ago and you better believe when I go see the cherry blossoms annually I think of her.