Stories from Caregivers: Linda from ILLINOIS
IL
Linda
FROM ILLINOIS
Me and my husband, Garrett, have been married for 48 years. We have 3 children and countless grand and great grandchildren. They are our greatest joy in life. So it came as shock to everyone when he slowly started to forget their names. At first the kids would blow it off, and joke and say, "Come on dad... you still getting me confused with my brother?" and try not to take much notice of it, but I could see him looking their faces over, trying to figure out who they were when they came to visit. Six months ago, he was officially diagnosed with Dementia. It has been a bit of an adjustment, as it is harder for me to leave him home alone to go get my hair permed, or too meet with the church ladies. I never know if he will try to leave the house, or turn the stove on and forget. Last week he went to check the mail and started to walk to the neighbors house to "see the kids". He gets confused easily, and forgets where the restroom is, or thinks that he can still cook on the stove like he used to. I try to help, but that frustrates him even more. Luckily one of the boys will come over once a week to stay with him while I run some errands or go to the beauty shop. We do still have good days on occasion and I am thankful for those. Days where he remembers that we use to spend the spring camping and fishing for months at a time, he jokes and talks about us retiring to our mobile mansion by the lake one day. I try not to tear up, as I know that it's possible that he won't even remember who I am tomorrow. I am so thankful for the many good years we have had together and I will continue to care for him at home as long as I am able because even if the "good days" are only few and far between, they are worth enjoying together in our home where we have shared a lifetime of memories.
