Why Do I Still Write & Speak About Alzheimer’s?

Edie Dykeman, at Elder Care Cafe, mentions Alzheimer’s Notes and comments:

Many times, once someone’s caregiving time is finished, they choose to move on. Mary Emma has returned to help the rest of us along.

Some people have asked me, “Why?” when so many caregivers and Alzheimer’s family members choose move on.

I want to reiterate:  First…it’s okay to move on.  Second…I’m not stuck in the past.

As Edie has glimpsed, I chose, through my writing and speaking, to remain involved and help those who are still going through caregiving.  When Mother and Auntie developed Alzheimer’s (Auntie first in the 1980s and then Mother while caring for her sister in the early 1990s), there weren’t many resources for the caregiver.

The Internet wasn’t in common use; caregiver support groups were few and far between; there weren’t too many books about Alzheimer’s and caregiving.  Also, people didn’t like to talk about the disease nor admit that a family member had developed it.

My neighbor was caregiver for her great aunt, so she and I would chat and compare situations.  By this time her Aunt Dot was in a nursing home, as was Auntie. But our sharing definitely helped me cope and even find humor midst the frustrations of caring for Mother.  I hope it helped Linda, too.

So I feel the need to help and encourage others.  It’s also become for me a way I can leave a legacy of caring from Mother and Auntie.  They were ladies who cared for others.  This way, their journeys through Alzheimer’s weren’t in vain.  They are still helping others!

Mother also encouraged me with my writing (a gift I inherited from her father).  So she would be pleased to know I’m using this talent to help others.