I know this is so common to some geriatric clients, but being diagnosed with this kind of disease in an early age is just heart breaking.

Just this week, I was able to see a patient with early onset of dementia. She was on wheelchair, together with his husband. As I was trying to assess her, she seemed to be disoriented and all. So I again introduced myself. Good thing is, she was able to cooperate for 5 minutes.. 

The doctor told me to do a Mini-Mental State Examination. For mentally healthy clients, you can do this real quick. In less than 5 minutes, you’ll be able to gather enough information. But in this case, it’s different.

I first explained to her, why am I going to do the test and all. Of course, she was able to understand me. She can still understand me, of course I use simple words. Simple.. To the point that I use the very common words.. Like the ones I use when I’m talking to 6th graders..

When we got started.. I thought she’ll be able to answer the simplest questions, but even the Year and the season, or even the date and day that time— she barely remembers it. She knows that it’s a weather.. But she can’t say it’s winter. Then she started to cry. I tried not to cry.. We shouldn’t cry in front of our patients. I tried to control my emotions. Now we tried to take the test slowly.. Slowly that a 2nd grader can pass the exam.. And she started crying again.. She’s just afraid that everyone of us will get upset.. I know I felt like crying.. My voice was trembling, and I can’t even pronounce the words correctly.. 

Unfortunately, we have to end the test because we’re running late. The doctor called me and he said that, that’s enough. He can tell the client’s memory is getting worse..

We need to be more aware of this condition. Learn to understand them, learn to be patient with them.. 

P.S: Tapos alam mo yung naalala ko yung The Notebook? Mas naiyak ang puso ko nung naalala ko yun at kaharap ko ang pasyenteng yun.

(Source: miseriadulce)