Wow. Reading this article opened a floodgate of memories. My family cared for my mother at home during her dementia. The doctor told us that dementia patients do better living in a familiar environment, even as their disease progresses. They're happier, less agitated, and better able to maintain their quality of life in a place they know. It was very difficult. There were days she would be catatonic, wake up the next morning and be perfectly all right. There were days where she referred to me as "the bald headed man!" Ouch. That stung. Not that I was bald headed, but at that point I was just "a man" to her. For context I was a only child.
Coming to terms with my mother's dementia and knowing that even though at times I was just a man in her perception of reality was not easy. But I realized it was necessary if I were to keep my own sanity.
Thanks for sharing your experience Brian (which sounds incredibly challenging). It's hard to convey the magnitude of what it's like to witness someone dear to us enter a state where they're unable to recognize us. We have no choice but to find a way to process it and accept it in order to maintain our own sanity, but it's extremely jarring and difficult to do so.
Wow. Reading this article opened a floodgate of memories. My family cared for my mother at home during her dementia. The doctor told us that dementia patients do better living in a familiar environment, even as their disease progresses. They're happier, less agitated, and better able to maintain their quality of life in a place they know. It was very difficult. There were days she would be catatonic, wake up the next morning and be perfectly all right. There were days where she referred to me as "the bald headed man!" Ouch. That stung. Not that I was bald headed, but at that point I was just "a man" to her. For context I was a only child.
Coming to terms with my mother's dementia and knowing that even though at times I was just a man in her perception of reality was not easy. But I realized it was necessary if I were to keep my own sanity.
Excellent read. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for sharing your experience Brian (which sounds incredibly challenging). It's hard to convey the magnitude of what it's like to witness someone dear to us enter a state where they're unable to recognize us. We have no choice but to find a way to process it and accept it in order to maintain our own sanity, but it's extremely jarring and difficult to do so.