You know someone who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia. It’s unfortunately an easy assumption to make.
Me? My dad, my aunt, my grandma, and my husband’s grandpa. That list doesn’t include my friend’s parents, extended family members, or people I’ve met through work (I’ve worked in senior services since 2012).
I’ve watched my dad slowly disappear under the monster called Vascular Dementia. He was hit by a drunk driver when I was very young and should not have survived. I remember his jaw being wired for three months and the slow recovery. He had a closed-head injury, which predisposed him to this disease, and symptoms started showing up 20 years ago. He’ll be 80 this year. His retirement plans included fishing, hunting, gardening, and more fishing. My mom sold his boat, his camper, and the garden disappeared under leaves and weeds. He still knows who we all are, and I consider that a gift.
