Living with dementia has been a profound teacher in the art of slowing down. When I first faced the diagnosis, it felt like my world was rushing past me faster than I could keep up. Tasks that once seemed automatic…
Living with a chronic condition—whether it’s physical or mental—is not about simply getting used to the difficulties it brings. Instead, it’s about learning how to live around those challenges and finding ways to keep moving forward despite them. When someone…
The First Time She Didn’t Recognize Me Imagine a moment when someone you love, someone who has known you for years, looks at you and doesn’t recognize you. It’s a feeling that can be both shocking and heartbreaking. This situation…
I used to think that correcting my dad was the right thing to do. I believed it would help him see things more clearly and improve our relationship. But over time, I realized that this approach wasn’t working. Every time…
My mom has dementia, and every day is different. Some mornings, she doesn’t remember my name. Other times, she forgets where she put her glasses—even when they’re right on her nose. But there’s one thing that hasn’t slipped away: she…
Let me tell you about the day my dad forgot my name. It wasn’t some big dramatic moment, but it stuck with me because it felt so strange and a little sad. We were sitting at the kitchen table, just…
Being the “strong one” in a family often means carrying a heavy emotional and practical load that others may not see or fully appreciate. This role usually emerges when someone steps up to support, protect, or hold the family together…
I didn’t expect to feel this angry at dementia. When my loved one was diagnosed, I thought I would be sad, maybe scared, but not furious. Yet here I am, sometimes boiling with anger—at the disease, at the unfairness of…
“She Still Smiles at Me, and That’s Enough” is a simple yet powerful phrase that captures a deep emotional truth about connection and appreciation. It speaks to the idea that sometimes, just seeing someone smile—especially someone you care about—is enough…
Music holds a remarkable power over the mind, especially as it begins to fade with age. For many older adults, cognitive decline can make simple tasks like following conversations in noisy places frustrating and exhausting. Yet, lifelong engagement with music—whether…