Caring for loved ones suffering with dementia

[Oma]

I think the saddest thing I saw was when I drove for Social services taking people to various places ,
Every Tuesday and Thursday I picked up a man with dementia to take to a day care centre he was only 45 .
It was so sad he would tell me the same story every time about his green house , he hadn’t had a greenhouse for quite some time as he wasn’t capable but he believed he was growing stuff .

Everytime I took him by the hand into the centre he would cry when I left him and ask when I would be back .
then when I picked him up at the end of the day he would ask who I was and where had he been .
His wife and children were so brave .

[Gemini]

So sad Oma, but a wonderful job you did, and I know you would have been so kind.

My SIL2's mum, early 70's and diagnosed with dementia about 18 months ago, still talks as though she works as classroom assistant. If I didn't know I would assume she still did. In her mind she still does I suppose.

[Daisy]

It is all so very sad, and given what problems develop for family and carers, it wold probably save the 'system' money if facilities like day care were readily available. I watched my MIL being worn down by first caring for a physically frail father and then her physically robust husband when he developed dementia. And she was a physically strong woman, highly intelligent and a great organiser. Eventually she had a stroke and spent the last 5 years of her life in a nursing home. I've often wondered how much a toll the caring took on her.

WeeGranny, you are so right about needing to know your way round the system and how draining and futile it can be

Oma, what a lovely thing to volunteer for, but that poor man's family - 45 is no age.

Gem, does your SIL2's mum get any help?

[Nanto2girls]

Dementia is one of the cruellist illnessess.