Bob de Marco wrote recently on The Alzheimer’s Reading Room, “I lost track of how many times Dotty said, ‘get out, I don’t need you here, I can take care of myself’. This was particularly hurtful because I had dropped out of the world to take care of Dotty full time. Twenty four hours a day,…
Blogging about dementia has been one hell of a ride! So far, it has provided my husband and I with incredible support, but also occasionally some distress. It’s been interesting thinking about the last few days through the night. I always look in the mirror once I have been able to put aside the hurt or feelings…
Richard Taylor gently reminded me yesterday of the Abraham Lincoln quote, about only pleasing some of the people some of the time. Thank you. I feel vaguely fragile after another week of taking deeply personal risks by speaking out honestly and receiving more rebukes or disagreement with the way I feel about things. My dear…
I started blogging to record my world. My blog now also tries to highlight the human and personal costs of a diagnosis of dementia, the significant financial impact to individuals and families, and responds to the current status of age appropriate resources and services, or lack thereof, for people diagnosed with younger onset dementia and…
A delayed diagnosis of dementia can reduce choices and shared opportunities with loved ones for many people, and can have a number of significant and negative outcomes. Rate of the disease may progress more quickly as reduced ability to participate in healthy lifestyle, non pharmacological and positive psychosocial interventions The person with dementia may no longer have legal capacity to make decisions…
The primary purpose and value of early diagnosis of dementia is timely access to information, advice, and support and access to a pathway of effective treatment and care from the time of diagnosis to end of life care, and to enable interventions that may only work or be suitable in the earlier stages[1]. Early diagnosis…
Younger onset dementia is simply the diagnosis of a person under the age of 65 with dementia. It varies significantly, but the impact on a person under this age and their families is very different to someone over the age of 65. Usually the person is still in paid employment They may still have school…
Live every day as if it is your last, just in case it is. We live until we die. One day at a time, working together, we can bring about change. Be the change you want to see. Are we being as kind to each other as possible? Offer unconditional love to your family and…
Don’t let dementia become your capricious mistress, something the rest of your life (and that of your family) has to compete with. Don’t live the life of an exile, limited to the symptoms of your or your loved one’s symptoms of dementia. Focus your attention and energy instead on what you have left that is…
A friend wrote to me recently, and talked about the notion of being like a politician, or a sycophant and only wanting comments about my writing from those who agreed with my opinion, or showed their approval for me. Whilst it took me some time to even understand what she meant, this comment nailed it, “That is…
Special support is offered to dementia sufferers in Scotland BMJ2012;344doi: 10.1136/bmj.e2687(Published 12 April 2012)Bryan Christie Everyone newly diagnosed with dementia in Scotland is to be guaranteed at least a year’s support in what is said to be one of the first commitments of its kind in the world. It is part of a wider programme…
Farewell Dad. We have family and friends attending the funeral for my father in law today, and yesterday my dear husband and I farewelled him privately at the funeral home. My husband and best friend, who is Dad’s eldest son, also has the same name, the 3rdgeneration to have been named Peter Watt, and all…
This morning I read a wonderful story written by Bob De Marco called Memories, Memory, Alzheimer’s Dementia, on his blog the Alzheimer’s Reading Room. His devotion and willingness to provide care for his mother Dotty who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease about 8 years ago was inspiring, as is the fact that throughout his loss…
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” Mahatma Gandhi As I speak out about improving the services for, and care of people in aged care, and people living with dementia, I am constantly scratching my head wondering why we haven’t got it right…
Writing the Eulogy and funeral service for someone you love is quite the emotional roller coaster ride. On the weekend we made plans to bury my father in law later this week, and have been given the job of writing the Eulogy and Funeral Service. Not stepping on toes is challenging. Being inclusive of everyone is…
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