Mrs. Köhler-Münch made a conscious decision to reduce the number of visits to see her mother in the nursing home.

Mrs. Köhler-Münch made a conscious decision to reduce the number of visits to see her mother in the nursing home because they were stressful.

Mrs. Köhler-Münch says that she sometimes makes up stories when talking to her mother.

Mrs. Köhler-Münch relates that sometimes she acts taking cues from the delusion or confusion of her mother, who suffers from dementia. Mrs. Köhler-Münch invents stories to which her mother reacts positively, which is why the communication strategy seems effective, even if the "fibbing" is somewhat alienating.

Mrs. Köhler-Münch and her siblings have urged their mother to clarify the situation.

The first signs in her mother appeared several years before the diagnosis, says Mrs. Köhler-Münch. She and her siblings had urged her to have tests. The diagnosis was emotionally very difficult for her mother. She had suspected what was in store for her, since her brother also had Alzheimer's disease.

Mrs. Köhler-Münch received tips from nursing professionals in the home on how to deal with her mother, who suffered from dementia. The professionals from the home helped her better understand the disease.

Mrs. Köhler-Münch received tips from nursing professionals in the home on how to deal her mother’s restlessness and aggressive behavior. The professionals from the home helped her better understand the disease.

Mrs. Köhler-Münch is afraid of developing Alzheimer's dementia like her relatives.

In her mother's family, four people have Alzheimer's dementia, says Mrs. Köhler-Münch. That's why she's afraid of getting the same disease. She considered early diagnosis, but then decided against it. It is better not to know.

Mrs. Köhler-Münch does not attribute any effectiveness to the medications her mother takes or to the doctor's recommendations such as memory training, exercise, or sufficient fluid intake.

After the diagnosis, her mother tried several medications in different dosages until her condition stabilized. However, Mrs. Köhler-Münch attributes no effectiveness to either the medications or the doctor's recommendations to do memory training, get enough exercise, and drink enough fluids since her mother practiced these throughout her life.

Mrs. Köhler-Münch wants to make an advance directive for herself.

Ms. Köhler-Münch wants to make an advance directive for herself, but "better and more detailed" than is the case with her mother. Nevertheless, it is difficult to specify what "life-prolonging" means. An advance directive does not guarantee clear answers (e.g. regarding medication), she concludes.

Mrs. Köhler-Münch is considering Exit (euthanasia organisation in Switzerland) for herself.

Ms. Köhler-Münch is considering Exit (euthanasia organization in Switzerland) for herself. The controversial question is the point in time. This poses the same problem as with the living will. There is no compass, no guideline.

After the management of the nursing home changed, communication broke down, says Mrs. Köhler-Münch.

After the nursing home management changed, communication broke down, says Mrs. Köhler-Münch. She and her siblings were no longer given access to the medication list of their mother.

Mrs. Köhler-Münch can no longer watch films about dementia.

Mrs. Köhler-Münch is very concerned about her mother's dementia. She says she can no longer watch films about dementia.

With the little phrase "You do what you can," Mrs. Köhler-Münch succeeded in bringing her active role back into focus.

With the little phrase "You do what you can," Mrs. Köhler-Münch managed to bring her ability to act and active role back into focus. This helps her to counteract the feeling of helplessness in the face of the disease.

A change of nursing home could not be organized quickly, says Mrs. Köhler-Münch.

Due to poor quality of care, Mrs. Köhler-Münch and her siblings decided to move their mother, who suffers from dementia, to another nursing home. However, the change could not be organized quickly, she concludes.

Her mother's appearance was greatly altered by taking antipsychotics, says Mrs. Köhler-Münch.

It was shocking to Mrs. Köhler-Münch how her mother's appearance changed as a result of taking antipsychotics (she receives antidepressants and medication for Parkinson's disease, among other things). Her face became "really angular," she says.