Just Go With It!

I have heard it said that when working with an Alzheimer's patient, it is best to just live in their world. So if the patient has a flash back, just enter the time period they are currently living in and just go with it.

I have discovered the same technique works quite well with Lydia and her imaginary world. James got home one night this week and Lydia was deep into her pretend world. We had just finished running through the yard capturing run away puppies. Lydia was taking "cow place" orders and was driving her car to pick up milkshakes, sandwiches, apples, etc... Basically we were having a quite ordinary afternoon when James pulled up. James played along with this little game and held a puppy. I think he eventually got to order himself a milkshake.

Then we decided to go out to dinner. James was locking up the house and I loaded Lydia (and her "puppies") into the car. We then drove to the restaurant. Lydia was still in pretend world and threw a huge fit when her father expected her to hold his hand AND use her own hands to get out of the car. Seeing James struggle I gave him the tip that she was holding puppies in her arms. James was confused as to how that was a tip for success in this situation. I told Lydia to put her puppy on a leash and hold a hand - which she happily did.

Sometimes it is easier to just go with the flow!

P.S. James is now aware of the puppy body language and I think he will be telling Lydia that her puppies are going to stay in the car or in the house (which thankfully the puppies obey very well!).