One REALLY Long Presidency

Dad was having a flashback to the past--the way past.

"Roosevelt is president. Hoover used to be president. But now Roosevelt is president."

At dinner he asked us if we had a radio in the house. When I asked him why, he said that he wanted to find out what radio programs were on.

"We don't have a TV. TVs are too expensive. We listen to programs on the radio."

"We can't afford a TV. TVs cost too much."

He says as he sits in his chair 5 feet away from his TV...

Christopher Colunbus

Dad was in a talkative mood today when I picked him up to take him to the dentist. In fact, he talked all through having his teeth cleaned--an interesting undertaking.

"Columbus was my father. He died yesterday."

"Columbus got tired of living, so he died."

"Columbus was my grandfather. No, he was my father."

"Columbus got tired of living in Texas, so he went to South America. He lived all over South America."

"When he got tired of living, he died. He died yesterday."

"Columbus lived all over America, then in Texas, and all over South America. He died in Texas."

"I am Spanish because Columbus was from Spain. They speak Spanish in South America."

"Columbus lived a long, long, long time. Then he got tired and died yesterday."

Money Matters

Money is a common theme among individuals with dementia. This is especially true for Dad. He switches between thinking that he has no money at all and that we are stealing from him to thinking that he is extremely rich. Tonight he was rich.

"I'm the richest man in Texas, that is what I am."

"I'm THE richest man in Texas, I thank God for that."

"How much money do I have. None of your damn business."

"I'm the richest man in Texas. I have four children."

"Dr. Smith said I could feed all four of my children the same thing because I'm the richest man in Texas."

"I'm the richest man in Texas. I have millions and millions of dollars."

"I line my four kids up, two sets of twins, and kiss them good night every night because I love them very much."

"I have four kids because I'm the richest man in Texas."

"I have 100 million dollars, so I'm the richest man in Texas."

"I love my 8 children very much. I kiss them every night."

"I'm very tired because I'm the richest man in Texas."