07/05/2026
When dementia entered our life's.... In 2013 (my Father being 84 years old) I began to notice very small changes in my Father's behavior. He would get easily excitable, frustrated and somewhat forgetful but yet nothing too obvious, he no longer wanted to attend family gatherings; rather stay at home. So unlike Dad as he loves family and celebrations.... So I just chalked it up to him getting older. Soon after red flags were slowly popping up. Dad was still driving his white van until one day I noticed on the lower sides of his van streaks of different car paint, blue, then brown and several other, more and more in a short period of time. That's when it occurred to me that he may be side swiping parked cars. Dad was always a safe driver so I knew I had to address this immediately, something was wrong. That was when I made an appointment for him to see a Neurologist. At first Dad was reluctant but I had to trick him into going by telling him I needed him to come with me to an appointment. After several cognitive tests and some basic questions, which most Dad didn't answer correctly, was when the doctor diagnosed him with dementia. The doctor did not hold back by telling my Father and I that he was in his first stage of dementia. Doctor requested a full blood work up and prescribed him to take a medication to helpfully help slow down the process of this disease.... Sadly as I drove Dad back home he went into a full panic. I reassured him over and over again that "WE" will get through this together. I've never seen my Father scared/afraid about anything until that moment.....it was truly heart breaking and for me surreal; afraid of what to expect, what will the future be like for Dad, Me and also having my responsibilities of being a Mom to my Son.....little did I know my life would change drastically as well.......
