Dementiadad - Dementia Dad - Tumblr Blog

A lovely read...❤

The Curl of Time

Today at Longreads, Sarah Stankorb confronts a lifetime of literally outrunning her angry, alcoholic father as she attempts to find care for him and her mother, both of whom are struggling with dementia. 

Each evening until I moved off for college, my father drunkenly slurred and screamed, chasing me around the house until I caged myself in my room and he pounded outside. I’d stayed there safe, until his attention refocused on my mother, then I’d run out and draw his anger toward me again. I was faster, could outrun him.

Read the full essay. 

Needed this today! It was a rough caretaker week...

For those out there navigating through tough times, remember, sometimes the darkest storms bring the most beautiful rainbows. Keep believing, keep dreaming, and who knows? Maybe the next big twist in your story is just around the corner...

Dad told me he figured out how to cure his loneliness--He'll just marry me!! I reminded him that would be beyond gross, immoral, illegal and I'm already married.

Well if it's illegal I guess it's a no go...🤪

Pretty sure that's my high school volleyball coach, Ms. Dutra, on the right...🤣

❤

🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️❤️ For you

When you become frustrated with older people because of what they cannot do, think of how frustrated they must feel because they can no longer do it...

An excellent explanation for kids!

Out of the blue today, Pops told me that I was starting to show my age. I replied "Is that nice?"

Well Dads have to tell the hard truths...

Once you have seen one person with Dementia, you've seen one person with Dementia. Everyone's journey is different...

My caretaker mood today:

I dropped my glasses and Dad picked them up. I said "Thanks Pops, what would I do without you?"

Probably die...

Dad told the lady in line behind us at the market that she smelled of rancid grease and old cheese...

But in a good way...

Dad and I were reminiscing about a family wedding. I reminded him that a good third of the attendees, including the minister, were lesbians.

Why do you think I left so early...

Dad farted on me and then claimed it was my fault.

I'm a defensive farter...

It feels like I remind myself 1,000 times a day that no one has ever won an arguement with a dementia patient...

Took Dad to the market. We got all the way home when he decided he needed keifer. I said his timing sucked.

That's why I don't play the drums...

I took Dad to look at picture frames so we could put up some photos for him. He got all pissy while we were looking so I asked him why he was upset.

We don't even know any of these people!

Took Dad to his monthly war vet meeting. One of the Korean War Vets said how nice it was to have a young lady attend the meeting.

Oh she's A LOT older than she looks!

I asked Dad if he needed anything from the market.

Oh yeah would you pick me up some of those things I need for the thing?

Dad telling my husband he has a string of cheese hanging off his upper lip:

You've got some iceworms in your mustache...

The debate raged last night as Dad argued with himself about whether or not chili is considered soup...

FYI, it's not.

Dad told me his legs gave out coming back from the mailbox so I asked him if he fell.

Not the 1st time...

Dad called up all upset that one of his longtime friends kept hanging up on him.

He said "She answers 'Hello here it's Nan. I'm so glad you called.' and then hangs up on me."

It's her voicemail...

At the market Dad told me "You know, everyone thinks you're my girlfriend..." 🤮 🤣