I have had vivid dreams for a long time and occasionally talked in them. However, recently they have become more frequent. Ethel, my wife,has to wake me up if I am screaming.

My worry is that if in any type of care, I had a vivid dream and was vocal they might consider it necessary to dope me. This is my main fear of later care. I have a vivid imagination and love to think stories in my mind. If I got doped, I would lose this ability over time, but in the times I was lucid I would be worried about losing my love of pictorial stories.

I can also see me being doped if I show challenging behaviour when my senses are overloaded.

This post is MY wish list for care and support, everyone has their own but if it is written down there is no excuse for not following my wishes. Most of these wishes are about dignity, and cost nothing. Some sound obvious, but as a care worker I have come across examples of all of them.

When receiving care from staff, I expect to be involved in any conversation, and certainly NOT talked over with gossip.

I would rather be in a quiet, not bright room, reading or listening to quiet music NOT stuck in front of the TV.

At eating times, I will not be able to tolerate loud, echoey, noise. It would be optimal care if I could be allowed to eat quietly.

If I show challenging behaviour, it will be because I am trying to say something but getting frustrated. Please try and find out the problem; sensory overload being the most obvious, but also pain. I sometimes shout and thrash in my sleep; this is normal and I do not require any doping.