With cognitive decline, respect is inevitably lost in social interactions, says Mrs. Weber.

With cognitive decline, respect is inevitably lost in social interaction, says Mrs. Weber.

Mrs. Weber feels she sees hardly any effect of the dementia medication. The doctor confirms Mrs. Weber's impression.

Mrs. Weber feels she sees hardly any effect of the dementia medication. The doctor confirms Mrs. Weber's impression.

The advice to be mentally and physically active to prevent dementia is unconvincing to Mrs. Weber.

The advice to be mentally and physically active to prevent dementia is unconvincing to Mrs. Weber.

Since her mother no longer understood how common things functioned and could not handle everyday life as a result, Mrs. Weber had to visit to check in on her frequently. Her mother would also call several times a day.

Since her mother no longer understood how common things functioned and could not handle everyday life as a result, Mrs. Weber had to visit to check in on her frequently. Her mother would also call several times a day.

Mrs. Weber cared for her mother, who suffered from dementia, in addition to looking after her family and maintaining her job. The burden felt enormous. Her family showed understanding. Today, she is concerned with the question of whether she was able to fulfill her role as a mother well while providing care for her own mother.

Mrs. Weber cared for her mother, who suffered from dementia, in addition to looking after her family and maintaining her job. The burden felt enormous. While caring for her mother, she would just be minimally functional, and she noticed that she could hardly stand any physical contact. Hugs from her children did her good, but she could not bear any tenderness from her husband. Her husband was understanding. Today, she is concerned by the question of whether she fulfill her role as a mother well enough in that time.

Mrs. Weber could rely on neighbors and the nearby community when her mother was still living alone and would get lost going out.

Mrs. Weber could rely on neighbors and the nearby community when her mother was still living alone and would get lost going out.

Dementia does not have a constant course, says Mrs. Weber. In the case of her mother, the fluctuation in functioning was so pronounced that there were times when Mrs. Weber doubted that her mother had dementia at all.

Dementia does not have a constant course, says Mrs. Weber. Bright moments alternate with bad days. The fluctuation in functioning was so pronounced that there were times when Mrs. Weber doubted that her mother had dementia at all.

Mrs. Weber talks about feelings of guilt and conflicts of conscience triggered by compulsion to act.

The transfer of her mother to a nursing home and the decision to extract her lower teeth still trigger feelings of guilt and conflicts of conscience in Mrs. Weber. Although both decisions were made in consultation with the doctor, Mrs. Weber felt they were coercive.

It repeatedly becomes clear in the interview that Mrs. Weber is trying to understand how people with dementia experience the world. Her case differs from the images of dementia she sees represented in the media.

It repeatedly becomes clear in the interview that Mrs. Weber is trying to understand how people with dementia experience the world. Her case differs from the images of dementia she sees represented in the media, which often present a happy and contented picture of the inner world of dementia patients. Mrs. Weber experienced her mother as being stressed, anxious, sad, and angry.

It's hard to grasp how mental deterioration unfolds unless you witness it yourself, says Mrs. Weber.

It's hard to grasp how mental deterioration unfolds unless you witness it yourself, says Mrs. Weber.

The body continues to function normally while mental degradation progresses, Mrs. Weber says. Cognitive ability and physical capacity diverge significantly.

The body continues to function normally while mental degradation progresses, Mrs. Weber says. Cognitive ability and physical capacity diverge significantly.

Since both parents suffer from dementia, Mrs. Weber is afraid of having dementia herself. She ties her discussion of suicide to this.

Since both parents suffer from dementia, Mrs. Weber is afraid of having dementia herself. She ties her discussion of assisted suicide, which she has already brought up with her family, to this. However, she recognizes that intended plans around assisted suicide and making a final decision can diverge significantly.

The patients should not cover up the impairments, says Mrs Weber.

Talking about one's situation, rather than covering up the impairments, helps everyone involved respond better, Mrs. Weber finds.