World Alzheimer's Month-Cynthia&Shirley

September is World Alzheimer’s Month.

Throughout the month, we are going to say hello to some of the people who have shared their stories with us over the years. For some of these people, their caregiving journey has come to an end, while others may be a further along on their journey from when we last spoke. But wherever they are, these caregivers are continuing to share their stories to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, to honour their person who lived or is living with the disease and offer support and guidance to those on their own journey.

Follow along here and on social media.

Cynthia and Shirley

We first met Cynthia and her mom Shirley in our 2018-2019 annual report. Shirley, living with mixed dementia, had recently moved into a seniors apartment in Mount Albert to be closer to her children. Fast forward three years and Shirley is now in long-term care at a facility where she is safe, happy and well cared for.

“Mom is now quite frail, slow to move and cannot follow directions well or hold any type of conversation that makes sense to anyone but herself,” Cynthia said. “We just smile and nod a lot and take our cues from her expressions when we visit.”

While Cynthia said she feels relief that she no longer has to worry about her mom wandering away, she is also sad that she and her siblings are “lost” to her: visits are short and her mom doesn’t always appreciate the intrusion.

“When I went a few weeks ago, I brought our new puppy to visit outdoors with her. That was a very nice visit. She loved watching him run around at her feet.”

Alzheimer’s disease/dementias are horrible diseases, Cynthia said.

“Watching the disease slowly eat away the person we love is the hardest thing I personally have ever had to endure.   

“My mom was always a very kind, gregarious and generous woman. Generous of her time and generous of spirit. Luckily, the one part of mom’s personality that has hung around despite a lot of it being gone now, is her sense of humour. She is in her realm with an audience of the other residents, her only goal to make them laugh. And they usually do.”

AS York was an important part of Cynthia’s journey. She took courses and seminars, accessed resources and is still a member of a support group.

“I did and still do value the support I have received as a caregiver. I still reach out when I need to, and still find solace and a sense of community in my support group.”

Cynthia said new caregivers should access the services of AS York as soon as possible.

“To anyone just starting as a caregiver of someone living with dementia, please reach out to the Alzheimer’s society. You may think you can go it alone, but you can’t look after someone else if you don’t look after yourself first.”