Subscribe to RSSAn Excerpt from Judy’s Dementia
Mariah Kissel asked to share her story on A Caregiver’s Journal. The complete post can be read at www.judyscaregiver.com
My mother spent 3 months in a hospital in Washington DC. Relearning how to eat, walk, talk, bathe, go to the bathroom. The staff retaught her to fasten her seat belt, open a door and spell her name.
The amazing thing is that she never forgot us. She smiled every time my father came to see her, which by the way was every day for the first 2 months and then 4 days a week or more when he could. My father had to work every day, but he still managed to travel almost 2 hours both ways from Southern Maryland to DC to take care of her. He was so in love with my mother and would do anything for her. It’s sad to say that this might have been a big part of why he is no longer with us. You see, 2 weeks after we brought my mother home from the hospital, my father had a heart attack and did not survive. I believe, that the stress was to much for him and he passed away literally from a broken heart.
As soon as my sister and I heard the news we were on a plane from Nevada to Maryland. We had the funeral, talked to lawyers, packed up my mothers most needed possessions and moved her back to Vegas. That’s when I became my mothers legal guardian.
Judy has her good days and bad but we take it step by step. The process is never easy but we do our best. I am sad sometimes, lonely most of the time and tired all the time. If I stopped to think about how we got here and how my mother used to be, I could not do this every day. So I don’t think about it. I just do it.
5 People have left comments on this post
Aug 1, 2009 - 11:08:31These videos are terrifying. That poor woman. And that poor family. What can be done?
My neighbor went through this, dying at age 98. But that this is all happening to such a relatively young woman–
And yet I just saw a video about a 110 year old woman who had no cognitive impairment at all.
It’s just a mystery, isn’t it.
Hi Hattie, I had to go over to Judy’s Dementia after you wrote this and some people on Twitter told me it was too graphic. When I put up the link, that video wasn’t on the site.
Anyway, I watched and I am surprised by the response from the feedback I got that said it was too graphic. The feedback was from a caregiver and that video depicts what some caregivers go through.
You are right Hattie, the family needs help. Both for their sake and the mother’s sake.
We are only at the early stages, but I have so much to learn. I grateful to you for sharing other people’s stories.
Best wishes
Hello everyone. I am Judys caregiver. First off, I would like to thank everyone who has read my blog and I appreciate your feedback. However, I do want to make a few things clear. These “graphic” videos were all taken in one day; one that happened to be a bad day. Not every day is like this. The point was to show people that this is dementia, and it is not easy. Although it is a big part of our life, it is not are entire life. My family is doing well and Judy is loved and cared for every minute of every day. Thank you Valerie for sharing my story. Sincerely, Mariah Kissel
Hi Mariah,
I’m not sure why people think the videos are too graphic. I found them to be a good depiction of what one can expect when taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s. It is a hard task – both emotionally and physically.
I think those videos are a good medium to share for other’s to learn. I do feel for your family because I know how hard it is to watch someone’s mind slowly degenerate.
No need to defend them – it is what it is – and videos are a great way to share and educate others.
Thanks for coming by.
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