I am an Alzheimer's Caregiver: mom

I really missed the remarks that I know Dotty would have made if she had been walking with me (or riding in the wheelchair). Dotty would have had something to say about the people, or the dogs, or the tattoos, or the flowers. Dotty always had observations all her own.

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

My mother, Dotty, went to Heaven on May 25, 2012. This was my first Mother's Day without her.

To be honest last year's Mother's Day wasn't very good as Dotty was confined to bed and dying. I really don't remember much if anything about that day.

This year it was if the idea of Mother's Day just wouldn't stick in my mind. It just wouldn't stick. I didn't wake up thinking its Mother's Day like I did on Christmas day, or New Year's day, or Valentine's day.

I have Dotty here with me, so once I realized it was Mother's Day I did say, Happy Mother's Day Dotty.

Why was it that I couldn't seem to remember it was Mother's Day?

Continued on the Next Page

To learn more about Alzheimer's and dementia visit the Alzheimer's Reading Room

I became a CareGiver by accident. It all started back in late 2003...

after a series of strange occurrences by my mother. I guess I should have known when my mother ran her car over an abutment and scraped off the entire side of her car on a tree. Me, more than 1000 miles away, I was told the car was not that bad. Two days later and on the scene, I found out the car was totaled. Fortunately, my tiny five foot tall, 87 year old mother was just fine. At least that is what she and all the doctors told me. While I accepted it at the time I just knew something was not right. This is where the story about my mother begins and me. Later, I said to myself, "I should have known".

If somehow you found us, welcome. Please feel free to say 'hi". If you are a caregiver or if you believe you have something to add please feel free to do so. If you have comments make them.

This is our story.

Bobby