When Chantal Pantenaude became a caregiver to her mom Pierrette, it was a chance to connect with her in a new way, but also an opportunity to witness her mother finding happiness despite having dementia. — via healthing_ca CdnCaregiving healthing
As scary as moving to a retirement home was, it allowed my mother to reunite with her dear friend of 54 years. They became neighbours again, rekindling their friendship and their memories, until insatiable dementia made it hard for Mom to keep up. It’s also where, at the age of 83, she found love. She met George — a 96-year-old gentleman — and together they shared a special friendship. It was certainly unexpected, but it was real.
My mother might not have been verbally responsive in the later stages of the disease, but her piercing blue eyes spoke eloquently, and her smile — no longer outlined with her signature pink lipstick — brought sunshine to the room. Her joy was palpable when she was with family. We always felt her gratitude and her love.
I share the sadness of this cruel disease with Bruce Willis and his family, and I’m grateful they are bringing attention to it. Increasing awareness and learning about FTD can, hopefully, help families create opportunities for joy during a taxing time. As Mom’s primary caregiver, I connected with her in ways that might not have been possible otherwise. I not only became a parent to my parent, but I also became a better person. Those tender precious moments with Mom, I will cherish forever.Thank you for your support. If you liked this story, please send it to a friend. Every share counts.
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