2 More Lessons in the Day of Being a Dementia Caregiver

This morning I woke up earlier than usual and I was feeling cranky as soon as I opened my eyes. I like to spend a few seconds stretching and thinking of one thing I am grateful for before hopping out of bed. I was having none of that this morning. I LOVE early mornings–4:30 to 6:15 am is my quiet time. It is when I recharge my battery by sitting with my kitty, sipping on coffee, reading, writing or meditating. But this morning was different…it was interrupted by my husband, Dave waking up... 

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Learning to ‘flow’ with my husband’s dementia

Last month I was reading an article by Bob DeMarco about his experiences of caring for his mother with Alzheimer’s. He said that when you learn to step into the world of dementia, life flows easier. I couldn’t agree more. For the first couple of years after my husband, Dave was diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) I tried controlling what Dave wore, his table manners, what he said, and more. For example, we were going to a wedding and Dave was standing at the door, looking very... 

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Living with Dementia: Enjoying the Present Moment

I just came back from a run with my husband, Dave. It is an absolutely gorgeous fall morning–sun is shining, with wispy clouds and a feel of coolness in the air. Perfect for running. As we are heading towards the sun, I look up to see many layers and shapes of clouds, on a backdrop of the deep blue sky. What is interesting, and particularly beautiful, are the colours around the sun–shades of mint green and fuchsia-almost like a rainbow but without the rain. I mention it to Dave, who isn’t... 

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