Which of these best describes you?

I am a caregiver -

If your loved one was experiencing signs of dementia, would you keep it a secret?

No -

Who are you here for?

Parent -

The thing I miss most is...

- THE LAUGHTER WITH MY MOM....HAVING HER AS MY CONFIDANT.

I first began to worry when...

- MY AUNTS BEGAN TO TELL ME THAT MOM WAS NOT ACTING THE SAME. THEN WHEN SHE HAD 2 CAR ACCIDENTS.

The hardest part of my today was...

- TALKING TO MY MOM ON THE PHONE THIS MORNING. SHE IS IN A PLACE OF WANTING TO RETURN TO HER HOME SHE LIVED IN YEARS BACK WHICH IS NOT POSSIBLE. IT IS OUT ON A RANCH , SECLUDED FROM ANYONE. SHE HAS BECOME VERY IRRITABLE AND RUDE WITH OUR CONVERSATIONS. SHE HAS NO MEMORY OF WHY SHE CAME TO LIVE HERE BUT ONLY REMEMBERS THAT WAS HER HOME BEFORE. I TRY TO REDIRECT OR CHANGE THE CONVERSATION BUT TO NO AVAIL. SHE JUST GETS MORE AGITATED. IT SEEMS THERE IS NOTHING THAT WILL CALM HER AND IT IS GETTING WORSE.

The best part of my day today was...

- I GUESS THAT SHE IS STILL ABLE TO DIAL MY NUMBER.

I didn't consider myself a caregiver until I had to...

- MOVE MY MOM HOME WITH ME AT FIRST. NOW THAT SHE IS IN ASSISTED LIVING I HAVE TO GO EVERY DAY TO CALM HER.

I have found the most support from...

- MY HUSBAND.

I have felt most abandoned by...

- MY SIBLINGS AND THE DOCTORS/NURSES WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD.

The thing that would surprise most people about my day is...

- HOW DRAINING IT IS TO HAVE HER CALLING AND TRYING TO CALM HER.

The funniest thing that has happened was...

- SHE TOLD MY HUSBAND YESTERDAY HE COULD STAND TO MISS A FEW MEALS.....STILL HAS HER SENSE OF HUMOR..

The gift of being a caregiver is...

- GETTING TO SPEND THE TIME THAT IS LEFT WITH MOM. GETTING TO EXPERIENCE THOSE FEW MOMENTS WHEN SHE IS HERSELF..

- GIVING UP SO MUCH OF MY FAMILY TIME TO TAKE CARE OF HER. MISSING MY SON'S BASEBALL GAMES. GIVING UP MY SECOND JOB.