Is Mom Still Home?
I have often cared for people with advanced dementia syndromes or serious brain injuries, where families and staff may question if the person is still present. The GeriPal podcast, posted May 29, titled “Lucid Episodes” ( https://geripal.org/lucid-episodes-andrea-gilmore-bykovskyi-andrew-peterson/) explored the many facets of what may become of “personhood” when major cognitive impairment becomes severe and irreversible. Out of respect for the person, I have counseled families to assume the person can still appreciate their presence, touch, and verbal communication, even when no response may be evident.