As Heather’s personal hygiene has slipped it’s become apparent that she needs a daily shower. I do this with her as she can’t figure out soap and body washing on her own anymore and she can’t follow even the simplest of spoken instructions. So I hop in and gently do it all from shampooing to Read More
Author: John van Gurp
Coping and coming up with systems and solutions
Coping: People keep saying “Remember to take care of yourself…” which sure sounds important, and is always delivered with kindness, but doesn’t contain any actual usable information. I understood that concept very early on my own, and I recognized that I would need breaks and coping strategies to survive the inevitable stress and anxiety so Read More
Bruce Willis (Primary Progressive Aphasia and Frontotemporal Dementia)
Bruce Willis and heather seem to be on the exact same trajectory. What to know about his frontotemporal dementia diagnosis
Incontinence
It looks like early days of incontenence in the house… Heather has peed herself a few times over the past months, almost always just from being out of the house and away from the bathroom. So it wasn’t a loss of bladder control, it was the inability to plan and strategize, despite me and others Read More
Challenges – the current state of affairs at just under three years
It seems like a good idea to spell out to you exactly how Heather is functioning in day-to-day life. I see so many Alzheimer’s and dementia webpages and guides that talk about coping mechanisms and tools that caregivers can use to help their people. Things like simple calendars with big dates, phones with just numbers Read More
More background
Navigating this journey has become increasingly challenging, as Heather’s perception of the world undergoes frequent shifts. Despite facing numerous tough times, evenings when I prepare her for bed stand out as particularly difficult, often filled with confusion, tears, and resistance. My current objectives resemble those of palliative care; while I can’t fix everything, I strive Read More
Background
Before June 2021, Heather was her usual happy, loving, organized and capable self. Like any other couple, even in retirement, we led busy lives. Before retirement, Heather enjoyed a full and rewarding career as a Respiratory Therapist at the local children’s hospital. Retiring early at 56 was a privilege, affording us time for hobbies and Read More
Dear Readers ~ Introduction
Dear Readers… You’re probably here because your home has also been visited by this sneaky thief of a disease. I see you and I commiserate with what you’re going through. I understand the anxiety and grief. Or maybe you’re here for some other reason after having had your life touched by dementia of one form Read More