I haven't posted here a lot in the past couple of years since Brenda died in early 2020.  I was able to pick up my life after that and am happy these days.

But the grief of being an Alzheimer's caregiver never goes away.  We were watching some TV series on Netflix this month and two of them had characters with early dementia.  The feelings flooded back.  I wanted to shout to the TV people around them "No! Don't treat her like that!" I'm fairly empathetic anyway, but that really triggers something in me.

It just never goes away, does it?

Mike

It's almost one year since my Barbara passed, and I think I am beginning to understand what Mike is saying here. I was so guilty of acting as if Barbara had some kind of control over the things she said and did.

Recently, I watched ( for the umpteenth time ! ) the first 3 Star Wars movies, and the words of Yoda come back to haunt me.

 All his life has he looked away... to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was. Hmm ? What he was doing.

 What my Barbara deserved, and in fact what all of our loved ones deserve, is to be served where they are.

 Chris

Baby Angel,

From the TV shows I watched, mostly it was three things that annoyed me:

When they repeat questions, don't get annoyed like they're ignoring your answer the last time;

Don't talk to others in front of them like they weren't there or were too dumb to understand;

and

Don't treat (and talk to) them as if they were a child.  They're not.

There are many others...

You sound like you're on the right track.

Mike

Dear Mike, I am thankful that you are " happy these days". I think of you and Brenda often. You taught me many good things and I sincerely thank you. Take good care of yourself Mike and live your life to the fullest.