MOMENTS of JOY and SADNESS, but such AN HONOR.
Although I worked in a professional capacity for forty years with dozens of people with dementia and their families, I didn’t realize how much I didn’t know about what it takes to be a caregiver, until one of my good friends was diagnosed with dementia.
After my friend’s husband died, I realized how much he had been covering for her dementia. She had no one she could rely on and lived 100 miles away from me. When she started calling me five to ten times a night we got frustrated — but she didn’t realize she had called just ten minutes before. After weeks of urging, I finally got her to a neurologist. When we came out of the appointment she said, “I know I should be really mad at you but I can’t remember why.” From that day on I knew I’d need to become more involved. No one should have to go through this journey alone.
Long story short, I became her healthcare power of attorney and helped her find a great place to live for three years, only eight miles from my home. Even though it was a difficult journey, we had many great visits and I have great memories of the times we spent together. I think of her often and smile.