Genre 4: E-mail Exchange

This is a fictitious e-mail exchange between a Speech-Language Pathologist (Crissa Bellomy) and the wife of a man who was recently diagnosed with dementia (Rita Smith).

 

• E-mail 1 

Miss Bellomy,

    I first want to say that I appreciate your concern and your patience with me. I asked a lot of questions in our meeting with you last week and you answered them all, but somehow I have more. My main questions right now are; how quickly does dementia progress, and should I be planning now for the future? I’d also like to know where I could find some extra information on the communication changes other than the pamphlet that you gave us. Please do not feel rushed just get back to me when you have the time.

Thank you,

    Rita Smith

 

•   E-mail 2 

Mrs. Smith,

    I do not mind the questions one bit. I am here to help you and your husband, so please contact me when you need to. To answer your question, vaguely, there is no set timeline for each stage. However there are symptoms that co-exist in each stage (Reisberg, Ferris, Leon & Crook, 1982).  I would recommed you visit this website, http://www.geriatric-resources.com/html/gds.html. This is just one site with information of stages that could help you connect your husband’s symptoms to a stage, which would enable you to monitor the progression. Included in the explanations of the stages are the changes specific to communication. I have a webliography that also has a few links to sites that may give you information as well. I also have a power point presentation that I would like you to see and you can give me a call to set that up. There is much more detailed information in it and I could even give you a copy so that you can refer to it when you need to. I would like to meet with you to go over it so that we can discuss the information in person.

 As for planning for the future, it is always a great idea to plan ahead so that when the time comes to make changes you are prepared and not overwhelmed. You are dealing with a lot right now so only you know what is good for you. If it will ease your mind to get information on some assisted living facilities then you should do that. If you need a few weeks to adjust and cope with this news then you should take that time, and then begin planning when you and your husband are ready. Here are a couple sites that may be helpful in your search –  http://www.assistedlivinginfo.com/assistedliving/westvirginia/  http://www.elderlivingsource.com/.  Please do not hesitate to contact me when you have questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Crissa Bellomy

 

• E-mail 3

Miss Bellomy,

   Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. I did visit the web sites and they will be very helpful to me. I have already begun using them. Jim and I are discussing our options for assistance and when that time comes we will be prepared.  I want to do what is best for him and he wants to do what is best for me, so together we’ll work it all out. We’re all coping in our own way…Jim is writing (he always was a good writer), I have been listening to podcasts online (maybe I’ll do one…someday) and joined a mailing list, my daughter journals constantly (always has).

   I will be contacting you soon to discuss more about what I can do at home to keep his memory at its best, and also if or when he should begin some type of therapy. He also wanted me to express his thanks and to tell you that if he has any questions he’ll be using the phone not e-mail! We would like to meet with you next week to view the power point presentation. I’ll call to set up the time in a day or so.

Thank you,

    Rita