From one who is dealing with a parent with Dementia, it's part of the situation we as 'care-givers' know well. The problem of NOT having the affliction personally is tough to know what those that do are going through. Mother's condition just tears my up inside. My siblings have little to do with being the over-seer, having 'given' the responsibility solely to 'the eldest.'

The standing joke(s) of 'the advantage of Alzheimer's is that you are constantly meeting new people.' The funniness of the situational comments wear thin quickly. However humor is a good thing when taken in proper measure. That seems to be a defensive mechanism......Laugh or cry. I have done both in recent months.

I'm an Nursing Home administrator currently working as an Executive Director in an Assisted Living in Kansas. I so appreciate you sharing what you are experiencing and "learning" about yourself and life as you go through this process. I see our residents progress daily and often wish I could "crawl inside" their mind to know what they are thinking or feeling so I know better how to care for them. You are their voice. Many thanks.

Thank you for sharing this.

Recently I completely dropped out a dental appointment for Mom, despite having confirmed it just the day before. Got involved in something and hadn't even looked at my calendar that day. My new plan is to post a note on the bathroom mirror when there's an appointment coming up. This is helping so far.

I can understand your prognosis is discouraging and still the most important aspect is the present moment. You are not making mistakes, you simply are living the life you have now. Blessings to you to lighten up and achieve the level of acceptance your friends already have. -- Gail