Disability

I've been recovering from left shoulder surgery which has hampered my ability to type, sign my name, and create new talks to give to educate Alzheimer caregivers. It has been painful in two ways; physically I hurt, but more so my emotional self. To not write is like not having nourishment. I think; I write about it. I want to make a meal but my pain delays my beginning. And watching someone else do it is at times agonizing. I watched my husband make us a meal. He is great at building gorgeous homes but making a meal is not his forte. I had to leave the room and let him do it his way so I wouldn't seem ungrateful for his offering.
I'm wondering how often people with the disability of dementia feel starved for things they love doing. Being able to make your wishes known, asking a question, doing a task which was once easy are all things we take for granted until we can't do them. When I ask people with dementia what helps, they tell me that people who give them time to express themselves, people who ask simple questions instead of complex questions, people who help set up a task so that the visual cues prompt easier completion of that task and a sense of accomplishment. I hope during this time of temporary disabiity I've learned a bit more how to help others who are disabled cognitively.