Over the past few months, as I talk to more people with loved ones afflicted with dementia, it’s become very clear that the disease follows different paths for different people.

In some cases, the prevailing symptom is they lose place and time. They scold their adult child for missing curfew.

In others, it’s language. They call something the wrong name and it suddenly becomes the new word for that item.

So far, Jim hasn’t experienced either of these but he as become hyper-focused on sounds. Whether it’s the fellow across the street’s motorcycle, waiting to ease into traffic, or the neighbour working in his back yard. Jim has to find the source of the sound. He gets up from his chair and goes to look. Often rushing through the house to different windows to get a better view.

If he settles back in his chair and he hears the same sound again, up he goes. Even though I’ve told him what the noise is from the last time he went investigating.

Silver lining – he’s getting some extra exercise.

I think, he realizes how much he’s missing and is trying to counteract it.

Instead of chastising him for not recognizing common sounds, it’s better for me to hold my tongue and support him as he attempts to rediscover the world around him. I don’t want him to become scared of unknown noises – that will just make his world less stable and more questionable. Which helps no one.