Beautiful despite the ravages of dementia

[lovelife65]

My mom, with a bear I sent her.... which she named Ted E Bear.
Yep, this is a snapshot

[Donald]

It doesn't matter whether you call it a snapshot or a fine art image, it's your mum. And it's an image that will be important to you and the generations of your family, some of who are not even born yet.

[Manfred M]

A far more positive image that the one I have of my mother, taken in similar circumstances. My mother suffered from Alzheimer's for over 20 years and was institutionalized for a good deal of the time. She lived a 5-hour drive from where we live, so we would only see her every few months.

The last time I visited her and took pictures (around 8 years ago), she no longer recognized me and was quite fearful of the "strangers" in her room; me, my wife and our two daughters. It was tough on all of us when we realized that we were scaring this poor old woman by merely being there. She died a few months later.

[wilgk]

Beautiful indeed Sharon, the image tells me, she is loved and cherished.

[lovelife65]

A far more positive image that the one I have of my mother, taken in similar circumstances. My mother suffered from Alzheimer's for over 20 years and was institutionalized for a good deal of the time. She lived a 5-hour drive from where we live, so we would only see her every few months.

The last time I visited her and took pictures (around 8 years ago), she no longer recognized me and was quite fearful of the "strangers" in her room; me, my wife and our two daughters. It was tough on all of us when we realized that we were scaring this poor old woman by merely being there. She died a few months later.

Manfred,
I am so sorry to read this heart breaking story. My mom is still in Fort Wayne, IN and it's really tough. I'm a nervous wreck most of the time, wondering if she is doing okay. She's in Assisted Living with her husband (also with some coginitive decline), but just had a hospitalization due to a sudden cascade of events, most likely brought on by dehydration and meds not clearing out (I suspect Lactic Acidosis as well). Hospitalizations are really really hard on elderly dementia patients, and this one was pretty horrific (no hearing aids, ill, confused, doctors yelling at her cuz she couldn't hear them, misinformation, giving me wrong patient information, no real idea on the problems and her history yet nobody would call me. Left me FUMING!!! She was most likely experiencing delirium.
I cannot believe her strong spirit, she is a tough cookie. She's getting rehab now at a Skilled Nursing Facility, and I believe she's doing much better.
I dread the day she no longer recognizes me. My heart will break for her. Your story makes me so sad. One thing I can say, is your mother felt your love in those moments, even if it did not seem like it. Thank you for sharing your heartbreaking story.

[lovelife65]

It doesn't matter whether you call it a snapshot or a fine art image, it's your mum. And it's an image that will be important to you and the generations of your family, some of who are not even born yet.

Thank you Donald, and forgive my attempt at humor ... (Manfred!!).

[lovelife65]

Beautiful indeed Sharon, the image tells me, she is loved and cherished.

Thank you Kay, yes she is. She was it for our family.... she held it all together. She's one amazing lady.
Sad to see what dementia does both mentally and physically.

[Shadowman]

Nice shot.

[James G]

Sharon, I'd echo Donald's comment.
Snap or not, you captured what seems to be a moment of joy and happiness, and that may be lucky, but it is also very much recognising that there was a moment which will not come again. I think this image will be of comfort in times to come.

(I do like the monochrome treatment )

[lovelife65]

Sharon, I'd echo Donald's comment.
Snap or not, you captured what seems to be a moment of joy and happiness, and that may be lucky, but it is also very much recognising that there was a moment which will not come again. I think this image will be of comfort in times to come.

(I do like the monochrome treatment )

Thank you James. So nice to see her still smile. She's certainly not "gone" completely, there's still life, joy and a mind working in there.

[lunarbo]

There's warmth in that smile and light in the eyes. A lovely shot.

Mums are special.Cherish her.

[LePetomane]

Sharon, your mother still has a beautiful smile. Something to remember her by.

[Tronhard]

I am truly and sincerely sorry for the predicament you and your mother find yourselves in, and I hope that the new arrangements will work better for both of you. I understand the stress of caring for a vulnerable relative and totally admire you for your care and efforts to look after her in such trying conditions.

To me this is more than a snapshot (depending on the definition one chooses), this is an important family keepsake. I hope you will forgive me for playing with it, but I wanted to do several things:
1. remove distracting elements above you mother's head
2. bring her eyes up to the top third of the image
3. make ones eyes flow up the triangle of her arms and move across to her face, lining up towards the top left of the image.
4. improve the detail in her hair and face when it seemed to be blown out a bit

I am no expert in PP so I will doubtless get feedback on the quality of my work, but I hope it leads you towards an image that allows one to concentrate on this lovely person who is very important to you.

[lovelife65]

Thank you Trev, for taking the time to respond, and for your well done edits. She will be quite pleased

I am truly and sincerely sorry for the predicament you and your mother find yourselves in, and I hope that the new arrangements will work better for both of you. I understand the stress of caring for a vulnerable relative and totally admire you for your care and efforts to look after her in such trying conditions.

To me this is more than a snapshot (depending on the definition one chooses), this is an important family keepsake. I hope you will forgive me for playing with it, but I wanted to do several things:
1. remove distracting elements above you mother's head
2. bring her eyes up to the top third of the image
3. make ones eyes flow up the triangle of her arms and move across to her face, lining up towards the top left of the image.
4. improve the detail in her hair and face when it seemed to be blown out a bit

I am no expert in PP so I will doubtless get feedback on the quality of my work, but I hope it leads you towards an image that allows one to concentrate on this lovely person who is very important to you.