Loretta Veney

Bio

BIO...I'm a fun-loving woman who loves life, family, fitness, teaching and travel! I'm very different from my quiet and fairly shy Mom, but we always loved spending time together, especially birthdays, special occasions and holidays!
Which of these best describes you?

I am a caregiver - My Mom was diagnosed with dementia in 2006, and this is year 8 of this journey. We still celebrate birthdays with my Mom because she's still so full of life though she forgets the event the moment it ends. But that's ok, because we have plenty of photos!!
If your loved one was experiencing signs of dementia, would you keep it a secret?

No - I want people to know all of the things this horrible disease robs our family of.
Who are you here for?

Parent - My Mom is a very healthy 85 year old woman who sacrificed so much for her two daughters. She took us to as many places as financially possible, and exposed us to the arts and music. She supported us in any and all endeavors we were involved in. Her number one priority for us was our education.
The thing I miss most is...

- having great mother daughter time at plays and concerts, and her amazing capacity for listening without judging.
I first began to worry when...

- She missed her favorite tai Chi class, which was one of the most beloved things in her life!
The hardest part of my today was...

- knowing that I won't be able to share all the good things happening in my life with my Mom.
The best part of my day today was...

- the knowledge that as of yesterday I have given 75 presentations on my book Being My Mom's Mom about our 8 year journey with her dementia.
I didn't consider myself a caregiver until I had to...

- make the decision to move my Mom to a new home where she would have 24 hour assistance and be safe.
I have found the most support from...

- My husband Tim and daughter Kim.
I have felt most abandoned by...

- Congress for not authorizing enough money for research to find a cure.
The thing that would surprise most people about my day is...

- that I start work at 6am so I can spend some time with Mom before sundowners begins.
The funniest thing that has happened was...

- ALL of the times Mom laughs at the funny things her dementia causes her to say or do. She's quite aware of her disease.
The gift of being a caregiver is...

- seeing my Mom smile when she sees me, even if she doesn't remember my name.