Connecting in the Land of Dementia

By Deborah ShouseConnecting in the Land of Dementia Cover As my mother moved deeper into dementia, I treasured every moment of connection with her. Often it was only a minute or two, sitting shoulder to shoulder on the bench in the courtyard of the memory care unit, watching the community bunny rabbit nibble on grass. Leafing through a celebrity magazine Mom points to George Clooney saying, “He’s good-looking.” (Her first sentence in days—dare I tell my father?). Looking into her eyes and singing “Oh What a Beautiful Morning” and other songs from my favorite musicals, I was always looking for new and creative ways to feel close to her.