World Alzheimer’s Day–September 21

Today is ‘World Alzheimer’s Day’. In my email this morning I read a newsletter highlighting the Alzheimer’s Disease International Report.   It states that 35.6 million people worldwide will be living with dementia by 2010. This is a 10% increase since 2005. Another disturbing statistic pertains to me and all those people who are caring for someone with dementia… 40-75% of caregivers have significant psychological illnesses (as a result of their caregiving); 15-32%... 

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Some of the reasons why Dave is doing well…

It is almost 3 years since the doctor told us that Dave, my husband, has Frontotemporal Dementia. Almost every day I meet someone who asks how Dave is doing. Besides the fact he is 6’4″ and you can’t miss him in a grocery story, he is well known in our city. He was a high school teacher for 25 years, talented duck carver and master volunteer with ski patroling, search & rescue, rugby refereeing and coaching. Until a few days ago, I paused before I answered their question.... 

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To My Beautiful Wife

Thirty one years ago, August 25th, I was walking down the aisle on the arm of my Dad, to marry the kindest man I have ever met—my husband, Dave. Our anniversary, which was a few days ago, turned out to be one I will never forget. I want to share a card Dave picked out, and signed with x’s and o’s. On the front cover was…To My Beautiful Wife and on the inside it said… Somewhere between all the places we need to be And all the things we need to do Are those special times that belong... 

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Surrendering to Dementia

Usually when I sit down to write a post or an article, my head gets in the way. I begin editing and thinking too hard and the words don’t flow easily. I am slowly understanding why it happens–the first step to curing it. It is about  ‘surrendering’ or letting go of the process of writing. I need to stop worrying about what readers will think, and just write. In fact, surrendering is a word which has taken on a whole different meaning since my husband, Dave, was diagnosed... 

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Caregiving for my husband with Frontotemporal Dementia

I have started this post at least 10 times and the words seem to get stuck inside me. They are stuck because my true feelings are just emerging after 2 ½ years of officially knowing my husband, Dave, has Frontotemporal dementia. Life has been a blur since our initial visit to the neurologist. At first, I didn’t believe the doctor. It doesn’t matter that I have been seeing the signs—daily headaches, changing personality, not recognizing friends etc.— for at least 5 years, or that the CT... 

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How are my kids dealing with their Dad's dementia?

Amy Kyle This isn’t easy writing about how my 2 kids are dealing with their Dad’s dementia because I am not sure.  The bond between them is extremely close; they share their deepest thoughts and tears with each other–not me. I can only tell you my impressions and a couple of comments they made. My daughter, Amy, 25, has had an easier time accepting her Dad’s condition than our son, Kyle, 27. She saw the signs a year before he was officially diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia-she... 

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The Tipping Point–the moment I knew that I couldn’t ignore the signs of dementia

I was sitting in our den this morning thinking about the warning signs or red flags that told me something was wrong with Dave’s brain. The very first sign happened about 6 years ago with Tabasco sauce. I wanted Dave to pick up some Tabasco sauce at the grocery store and he looked at me like he had never heard of it. Even describing the little bottle-with the red cap and hot, spicy flavor used in our favourite chicken wing recipe, didn’t fire any memories.  I quickly let it go, and said I would... 

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Weaving Nature into Our Life with Dementia

Since my husband, Dave, was diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia a couple of years ago, it seems that every day my life is filling with lessons and stories. I honestly believe that when we are facing painful, dark experiences, there are good reasons for them, often taking some time to surface. This morning, I was having writer’s block, wondering which story to share with you today, so I laced up my running shoes, and went for a run to clear my mind. It isn’t long before I am feeling my body... 

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Running is my Saving Grace for Living with Dementia

Since my husband, Dave, 59, was diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia 2 years ago, our lives have changed dramatically. I never imagined that my life would become this rich, and that I wouldn’t change my life now, for the one I had before Dave’s diagnosis. It surprises me how this latest challenge, and the pain of gradually losing my husband of 31 years, is transforming my life.   This morning, I laced up my running shoes and headed out the front door, going for my ‘usual’ Sunday... 

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The Loss of Freedom With Dementia

My husband, Dave, who has Frontotemporal Dementia knows that his driver’s license will be taken away, but we aren’t certain when. We have a friend who was recently diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s and when he went for his initial visit to the neurologist, his license was taken away that day. If someone has a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or related dementia, the rules for driving are very strict. If the doctor doesn’t think that you have enough ‘reasoning’... 

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