journal - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

suziewong · 03-03-2006, 09:13 AM

Hi i have another post on hear about my forgetting but please could anybody tell me how to start a journal, The nueropsycologist said to help with my memory to start one but i am not sure how ? I am unsure of what they meant. Does anybody else do one that could give me some tips thankyou.

LuvMyLilDoggie · 03-03-2006, 10:27 AM

I did one for my dad when I was trying to convince his doctors that something was wrong with him. This was before his AD diagnosis.

In his journal, I logged whether he took his meds or not, any changes to his meds, what his mood was and his feelings that he expressed, things he did that day and who he saw. I also noted if he ate meals or not or just snacked on unhealthy stuff all day.

You could make a journal that's fun by including pictures, postcards, birthday cards, letters, etc. Basically this is to help you remember so I think including pictures of special occasions, people and places is a good idea.

Include all the important stuff. Anything that's important to you is important to include.

Love, Barb

Martha H · 03-03-2006, 11:37 AM

Just take a blank book and start writing. Write whatever is on your mind, no regard to spelling or grammar - it will never be 'corrected'. Write what you are seeing, doing and feeling. When you look back on it later, you will get a much clearer picture of what is happening.

Good luck with it.

Love,
Martha

suziewong · 03-04-2006, 12:23 AM

Thankyou again i recognised your names straight away from my other posting,You must think im thick not knowing how to do this but i just didn't know what to put all the doc said was things like were i got out of the car and what was near it,Thats because i get lost and can never remember where the car is.Also things people say to me to stop me asking over and over again.Like i do with my kids, I must ask my lad what time he is at work a few times as his reply is it asn't changed from the first time you asked.I feel people will be looking at me if i start wrighting everthing down and feel silly.God this is getting passed a joke at 39.

Sandyspen · 03-04-2006, 05:56 AM

Suzie,
I don't know if anyone else shares your computer, so you might not be able to do this. But my journal is a Word Document on my computer.

I don't care for longhand writing, and find that the computer journal is just as therapeutic. When going through all the AD stuff with my mom, it was a godsend. I could get my feelings out, express how I felt without guilt or shame, and note my fears of what lay ahead.

Sometimes I wander off topic if I'm upset about something else, and that's good too. It helps to gain insight.

Just a thought.......