Several years back we did a project for a couple that lived in the Ravenna neighborhood of Seattle. The woman was an amazing artist. The home was full of some of the most beautiful and unique treasures. A realtor introduced me to the couple. They had been discussing downsizing for years and finally realized they needed help with the move process; it was simply too much for them to handle on their own.
We meet at their home and the couple, with their realtor, sit down to discuss what their plans will be. The conversation begins by explaining that they need to move into a home that is one level with easier access for the couple because mobility is an issue. At this point, the converstion take a slight detour.
The wife explains to me that she can nolonger live in the home because people are sneaking into the home and cutting off her legs during the night. Apparently, her legs regrow but the new legs are unsteady so she isn't able to walk very well. As I am taking this all in, I note the husband and realtor are engaged in the conversation as well; as if it is fact.
This isn't the first time I have had conversations such as this. Typically I am given a bit of forewarning before a meeting, but this one I just had to roll with the conversation. After a much longer discussion, it was obvious that time had not been kind to this brilliant artists mind; and all of this was taking a toll on the husband.
We formulate a plan to get the client packed and moved. What I hadn't notices before became obvious once we started to move and pack items. Every surface in the home was lined with aluminum foil. For example, the kitchen floor had aluminum foil covering it with rugs on top. The counter tops, kitchen shelves, windows sills, parts of the floors....foil was everywhere. When I asked, the client explained to me that the aluminum foil would help to confuse the people sneaking in to cut off her legs by making it hard to tell if she was in the home or not.
The challenge we had in moving into the new home was that we weren't planning to line every surface with tin foil. We do floor plans for clients, place furniture, unpack, hang artwork; everything to help make them feel comfortable. We have never put tinfoil on all flat surfaces. Would the client feel safe in her new home without the tin foil for protection? Could we put tin foil only on certain surfaces? These were real conversations we were having about the move.
It turns out that once they moved out of King County the people that were cutting off her legs wouldn't be able to find her. There was something specific to moving out of King County that made her feel safe; we will never know why.
We often work with people that are dealing with dementia, alzheimers or other brain disorders. I have met brilliant artists, scientists, business people and others that have been affected with age. It is always interesting how it affects individuals so differently. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's or Dementia, something I hope that changes in the near future.