Ever think, “Why do I bother?” If you find yourself wondering if your interactions with your loved one make any difference — since so little seems to be remembered — take comfort and inspiration from this 2010 University of Iowa study.

It that showed that in people with memory loss, warm feelings associated with a positive interaction — a joke, a visit — stick around long after the experience itself is forgotten. Even when the event is immediately forgotten, a better mood seems to persist for a day or longer. Sad emotions (as from a bad experience) last longest. So know that those little bits of happiness you dispense, from a smile to a hug, are well worth the effort, even if you don’t get any immediate feedback.

http://www.caring.com/articles/5-things-you-can-do-to-brighten-the-day-of-someone-with-severe-dementia?utm_source=stages&utm_campaign=alz:early_severe_memory:5&uc=483233:f2c6ef4a3:-10950