Memories CAN be stolen

Another lesson I have learned from my years in Memory Care . . . memories can be stolen from you.  I know that nobody wants to think about that, but it's true.  We often used tools like surveys and photo albums, to collect information about who each person was prior to Alzheimer's.  This information was so vital to providing loving care.  How amazing would it be for details about their life and thoughts from each of the residents were written down for us to read.  I have become almost obsessed with documenting my life.  I don't think I have ever told anyone my reasoning.  I guess I have now.  I make photo books for my kids every year, I burn DVDs of videos I have recorded every 3 months and now, new to my list of chronicles, a blog.

I hope and pray that there will be a cure to Alzheimer's and other dementia's.  I would love to have to find another career.  But just in case I some day lose my memories, I hope all my work will not be in vain and someone will return them to me.