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39 - Living in the Moment with Alzheimer’s

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 January 2024

Daniel Gibbs
Affiliation:
Emeritus of Oregon Health and Science University
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Summary

Eventually, in the late stages of Alzheimer’s, we are left with life in the present – no past and no future. I’m not there yet, but I can sense the shrinking timeline of memories from the past and plans for the future. For those of us on the Alzheimer’s journey, it is really important to embrace the moment and not dwell on the frustration of trying to remember the past and plan for the future. Others can help us retrieve old memories. Calendars, lists, and post-it notes will help us minimize the chaos of the future. But happiness and peace come from focusing on the moment, whether it is hugging a grandchild, writing in a journal, working in the garden, or listening to great music. As Horace put it over two thousand years ago, carpe diem quam minimum credula postero – seize the day and don’t worry about tomorrow.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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