After 4 heart attacks just before my parents 40th wedding anniversary in 1999 my dad started to show signs of dementia After many appointments with specialists he was diagnosed with this dreadful illness A gentleman in all that he does my dad has become like a child in the years that have followed and requires full time care lovingly given by his wife (my mum )of 48 years now We are a family of 7 children and do as much as we can for my parents when we can as we all have our own families Every time I look after my dad it drains me of all my energy and I know that my siblings feel the same I want to cry when I see the devastation that has been caused to us all especially to my parents My dad obviously hasnt got a clue but its hard to see mum deal with things that she never thought she would have to do for her husband like dressing toileting feeding etc Dad was an engineer and a teacher (teaching most of us kids as well)for most of his working life A very clever man and a rock to us all Now we have to be his rock and his teacher How sad!!! I really feel for other families who have to go through this and especially to those who dont know what to do for the future My message to you is to trust in yourself and remember the good times and dont dwell on the bad things that are happening right now You still have a person there who needs you more than ever before Alzheimers is destructive and affects anyone and all of those people around its victim Stay strong and and above all stay alert to you family member because they do have some lucid moments in their shattered lives I am writing a book at the moment It is in honour of my dad he is such a wonderful person even now Always a comedian and with a story to brighten you up He does say some funny things even now I wanted to bring a lighter side to this awful infliction that decided to make him its victim Treasure what you have had and have now Dont despair My prayers are with you all
This project was supported, in part, by a grant, number 90AZ2791, from the Administration on Aging,
Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201.
Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are
encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of
view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration on Aging policy.
