PM GoH; Dementia - some ex, plus other life lessons learned...

Firstly, so sorry to hear. My sympathy and thoughts are with you mate.

Dad died suddenly in 96, aged 71 (I was at football and learned when I got home)

Mum died in 97, aged 67 after six month battle with cancer. Watching her lose the battle was really hard, but she only developed dementia symptoms late on.

Between those events, I got divorced from Mrs WY mk1, leaving me custody of a 4 yr old WY Jnr.

In 98, my blind 93 year old nan (who I had also become sole carer for) was hospitalised with dementia and I spent 6 months visiting her in various stages of confusion and becoming less aware of surroundings. Blessed relief for her when she died in 98.

Tough day; Telling a 92 year old that her daughter had died before her.

In 2000, WY Jnr. aged 7 had to have a test for what would have been a life changing and life limiting condition. Thankfully got the all clear.

Worst day of my life; going with him for the test results
Best day of my life; going with him for the test results.

In more recent times, Mrs WY mk2 mother had to go into a home following a fall and suffered dementia during last 6-8 months. Worse for Mrs WY but still tough, experiencing it and trying to bolster her.

Currently I'm Power of Attorney for an elderly relative, who has dementia and is in a home in Stevenage. Difficult because of distance, but so glad we got POA done early... would have been so much harder if we'd left it.

Not sure I've got direct advice but what all that brought into very sharp focus for me was;
Sort out your life priorities
Putting other things into perspective
Living and experiencing life now, not planning for life in the future
Slow down, take time, be more understanding
In the blackest times, things will get better

As others said last night, always here, just shout. Don't feel you have to cope, don't feel guilty if you can't.

#yellowandgreenfamily

Love and thoughts 💛💚

Posted By: Worthing Yellow, Jan 10, 00:24:17