My essay on navigating the overwhelming journey of caring for someone with ALZ was published. Please

DarrenKeith

I lost my father after an incredibly long battle with Alzheimer's about 15 months ago.

Wanting to help others finding themselves in the same horrible situation, I wrote an essay about the experience, which was recently published.

I wrote it not only to tell my story, but to provide insight, guidance, resources, and to offer a glimpse into how Alzheimer’s can affect not only those afflicted with the disease, but — almost more importantly — their loved ones, because it is they who bear the deepest burden and suffering. 

Above all, I wrote it to help people navigate the devastating and overwhelming journey of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's. 

Here is a quote from Greg O'Brien, author of On Pluto: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer's:

"Excellent piece, Darren. Excellent! Hoping as many people as possible will read your words. You have great insight, a gift the world needs to hear."

I hope you will read the essay and hope that it helps you. And please feel free to share it in any capacity.

Thank you and all the best,

Darren Keith

THE ESSAY (click on the link below): 

https://medium.com/@contactdarrenkeith/living-with-alzheimers-efccf45e410b

CaringMate

Darrin...let me be the first on this site to acknowledge your contribution and to say that this essay was beautifully written and contains such important information.  All of us who have had the task of caring for a loved one have experienced so much of what you have written and in many cases, even more.  The heartbreak and heartache is palpable, but in spite of or because of, we continue to provide in every way possible.  I applaud your effort and your Dad should be proud of the fine and loving man that you are.  Thank you for putting into words what so many people think and feel.  This essay was excellent!

mommyandme (m&m)

This is the third time you’ve posted this that I’ve seen.  I thanked you the first time.  Do you get points for views or something?

DarrenKeith

I deleted it before because the link didn't work.

abc123

Congratulations on being published! And thank you for your contribution that will help educate the public about this awful disease.

Fairyland

Thank you, that is a good article.  It really is hard to bear isn’t it? My problems are less acute but I am still grieving the loss of my brilliant mother, even one of the other residents told me the other day that she is brilliant. I’m surprised and pleased it still shines out, from time to time. She is on a long and, so far, slow stepped slope with vascular rather than AD, but it’s still a shame and hard for the family, mainly me but also affected my DH and kids who I have abandoned to help my mom.

Cyndisaunt

Thank you for taking the time to write this piece. 

I also hope that more professionals from the medical to the estate planners step up and at least share some educational material for caregivers of loved ones. 

Similar to your story, my family was not prepared despite the numerous professionals who we were in communication with when my father's diagnosis was coming to the forefront. And those who did give us a bit of information had it so very wrong. 

Now caring for my aunt, I am hearing the same misinformation. I take the time to tell my story of my father's massive stroke and his return to his "normal" cognitive self only to decline over the next 15 years. 

cyndi

Hoot619

Thank you Darrin, I'll pass this around to my Kids and Grandkids

Michael Ellenbogen

Do we know each other as your face looks familiar to me?

Jo C.

Michael, I am sorry; the original writer of the Thread regarding the "essay," is NOT the person placing this current Thread here . . . . it is an old Thread from over a year ago.

It appears that an advertiser pulled up the old Thread and inserted an advertisement into a new current Post perhaps hoping to possibly take advantage.  Safest not to click on the link.

Sorry that happened, it is against policy and has been Reported.

J.

Michael Ellenbogen

Thanks so much for that info. But I am unsure how you figured that out as the names are both the same. Please help me understand what I missed. Other than the date. Thanks

Jo C.

Confusing because some things in the Thread have changed.

If you look at the dark purple bar above the first Post, you will see that the original Post was written early in May of 2022.   This is the end of August, so it is over three months old.  There were some subsequent Posts also written back in May of 2022 as can be seen by the date in the dark purple bar. Again; we are in August.

What is missing is:   There had been a current Post written on a current day's date in August - it was however, written by an invalid Member person advertising a service that was more than likely a scam.  What that person did was to drag up the original old Thread likely to gain attention and then after dragging it up, inserted his/her advertising Post.  It is of course, against policy and it did appear to be a scam sort of placement.

NOTE:  Why it appears confusing at this time:  The advertising Post was either deleted by the individual who placed it himself or herself which is unlikely, OR more than likely, the advertising Post was deleted by a Care Consultant on the weekend who received the notice from the Report Button.

All is well as the scam advertising Post has been deleted.  Sadly, it is likely that the original Poster you were trying to communicate with is no longer present.

J.

Michael Ellenbogen

 Thank you. Its getting harder and harder to spot these things an I get so much of it in my regular email and once in a while the get Me. I am sure that will get worse. THIS WOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE DEMENTIA. 

BlackCat1

I loved reading this!  Thank you so much for sharing this!

derknicklson

I'm truly sorry to hear about the loss of your father due to Alzheimer's. Your decision to share your experience and insights through the essay is commendable and can be incredibly meaningful to those going through similar challenges. It's evident that your aim is to provide support, resources, and understanding to both caregivers and those directly affected by the disease. I've had the chance to use the services of for a business essay writer, and I must say, their expertise in the field truly shines through. The writer I worked with was well-versed in business concepts and delivered a well-researched, structured, and insightful essay. The communication was smooth, and they took my requirements seriously. If you're looking for a reliable business essay writer, I recommend giving them a try. Remember, a well-written essay can make a significant difference in your academic or professional pursuits.

Lola V

This was excellent. I will be sharing it. So sorry for your loss.