New to this Site

StrongPharmGal31

I'm Katie and this is my first post on this site. My story is that my dad started having early dementia right before March of 2020 when the pandemic began. When I found out that he was diagnosed, I felt my world just fell apart. In the beginning, he was functioning and was independent. When he retired in April of 2020, that was when he started to slowly decline. He was able to get around still and do errands. In the summer of 2020, he was diagnosed with incontinence, which was his downfall because that's what all he thinks about as of late: worrying about wetting the bed, making sure he has enough supplies and clothes, and not smelling. He did not start off this way but in the last year or so, his obsession with his incontinence has gotten so much worse. He has lost interest some of his daily tasks and both my mom and I cannot have a real conversation with him sometimes. It is very hard caring for a parent that has dementia and incontinence.

My dad does have his good and bad days but sometimes his bad days can be really bad where both my mom and I cannot sleep or do our day to day activities. We are blessed that we have a wonderful support system with family, doctors, and getting support from geriatrics. My boyfriend of 5 years, has been my absolute rock throughout the course of this difficult journey. There are days where I just break down and cry into his arms. He is so patient, kind, loving, and an authentic man. He is always there when I need him no questions asked.

I know this post is long but I just wanted to give a synopsis of my dad's dementia and I want to use this site for support and offer support to anyone that needs a listening ear.

Effiesdau1213

Be encouraged. My Mom hasn't been given an actual diagnosis, but I can see the decline. Your Dad is fortunate to have you and your mom. Continue to be patient. As I am learning our loved one's brain is actually diseased with no cure. Sometimes I cry because I feel helpless. I am here to learn as much as I can about the disease and to provide encouragement to others.

StrongPharmGal31

Exactly that's how I am feeling. I am a patient person to begin with but sometimes it is really hard seeing my Dad go through this pain. I feel that I am losing a part of me to him, if that makes sense. My Dad is still walking around, making and eating meals on his own, bathing, and dressing himself. At times, he needs help remembering things that he just did minutes before. Like I stated before, he has lost interest in things that he usually does . When my Mom and I tell him to do be more active sometimes, he gets frustrated with us. I used to take these things personally but I was told that I should not take it to heart when my Dad gets frustrated. The best thing we are doing is taking things one day at a time and cherish the time I will have with him.

I can understand on feeling helpless. I hope I can help with words of encouragement and be there for you. I am still relatively new on how dementia works. Regardless, I am here for you and we can help each other out if you want to.