Where to start? We are four years into our dementia journey with my mom. As with most things, what I thought this would be like and what it has turned into are very two very different things. I keep hearing about people with dementia that are happy, social, and repetitive. I think those must be dementia unicorns.
I will officially introduce you to my mom later, but my pre-dementia mother was nice, kind, loved to laugh (has a unique laugh), social, put-together, and so on. For the past year especially, that has not been my mother in any way, shape, or form. After three of the worst days ever and a tearful call to my doctor, we were able to enroll mom in hospice.
When most people, myself included, hear the word “hospice,” we think the end is near for that person. The end is probably near for my mom, but not tomorrow, not next week, or next month, but sooner than I’d like; even after everything, sooner than I’d like. However, hospice has opened a door to caregivers and medicine that we did not have before. The medicine (Haldol) for my mom has calmed her, brought some peace to our home that we have not had in a long time.
My dad is now awake and puttering around the house so I think I will end this here. My first post. More on everything to come later.