Where is my toothbrush?

​TOOTHBRUSH

When we go on holiday
or stay in a hotel room,
we make it like home,
and place our toothbrush
where it should be.
We create a cognitive map
for where all our things
now are, in our new room.

When we move house
it’s a much bigger map.
And it takes time for us
to work out where to put
everything, and to remember
where everything is.
It’s the cognitive map
for our new home.

We create our cognitive maps
by walking around and doing things
We work out the layout
of the rooms, and try to
remember where all those
personal essentials,
and practical items
are now located.

When I was diagnosed with
Alzheimer’s and moved
into a care home,
it took me a bit longer to
get used to the place,
and to work out
where everything was,
including my toothbrush.

And now, when I want to
make a cup of coffee
they tell me 'it’s okay', and
that they will do it for me.
They stop me walking around
and building my cognitive map.
It then appears to others that
I am ‘getting worse’.

You see, my brain now works
in a different way.
It isn’t just forgetfulness.
It’s the skill of remembering
that I need to practice.
So, let me go and clean my teeth,
make a cup of coffee and
wander around and do things.

And when you visit,
please don't sit there talking,
Walk around with me.

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​PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1. Where do you put your tootbrush when you go into a hotel room?
​2. Write down 'step by step' the exact steps a new visitor should take to make a cup of coffee in your house.

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Day 519 of Des McCabe's Personal Development Exercises

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