It all starts with forgetfulness. One day, my mother’s friend, John, said goodbye and left the house. However, he unexpectedly came promptly back into the house and said, “There is something wrong with my car.” Mike and I walked out to the car, and John plopped into the driver’s seat. He started the car and …
Continue reading Who Does Dementia Affect? From family to the White House
Time seems to slow down when you wait for the inevitable. It gives you space to reflect on what is really important in life. It also allows you the freedom and flexibility to perhaps learn new things. I’m waiting for my mother to pass, which is inevitable. She’s been on in-home hospice for 9 months …
Continue reading Seasons of Life: Waiting for the Inevitable
My 91-year-old mother with dementia chopped down my rose bush. It all happened 1 ½ years ago. I was upstairs writing on my computer, and I went downstairs to get some water. I noticed my mother was standing very still behind the red rose bush, very still. It was obvious she was hiding from me. …
We were driving down the serene and scenic Natchez Trace Parkway when my 90-year old mother turned to me and said, “What? I can’t hear you”. I spoke louder, “We are going to get a hearing test”. She nodded and smiled. You see my mother has dementia and had already forgotten where we were headed. …
Continue reading I Can’t Hear You – When Someone You Love Can No Longer Hear
It happened when I was talking with a coworker right outside the COO’s office at my firm. I glanced down at my buzzing cell phone, a rare call from my mom. It was then I heard those dreaded words, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” I imagined the worst of course, that she had …
Six years ago, a stranger arrived in our house - my mother. Time has a way of making one a stranger. I lived with her growing up (18 years), then apart (38 years), and now we are back together. Her friend and roommate of many years passed away suddenly, and she sorely lacked transportation (she …