They Walk Alone

It is pure torture to watch a loved one slowly lose everything and know there is nothing that can be done for them.

It is so important to reassure your loved ones during the early stages of this disease.  The more worked up they get, the more inept and useless they feel.  Nobody should feel this way, especially those in the early stages of dementia.  It’s not easy to be patient under normal circumstances.  It’s even harder the fifteenth time you’re looking for a cell phone or car keys.  You must force yourself to always exercise patience.  If finding their phone is important to them, then it should be important to you.  Telling them not to worry about it, or it’ll show up, doesn’t help at all.  You might as well be talking to a wall.  Finding a lost item will become a fixation for them.  Drop whatever you’re doing and find the item.  Be sure to include them in your search.  Chances are they’re going to follow you around anyway.

This is a memoir of my journey caring for two loved ones, and experiencing the loss of a third loved one to this terrible disease.  Witness with me, up-close and personal, the different stages of dementia- from early signs, diagnoses, progression, and finally the heart wrenching end.  Learn from my experiences to identify the early symptoms sooner.  And, more importantly, learn how to care for your loved one so that they never walk alone…