Article 4
The Journey Comes to an End
When Gayla was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, I knew there would be no happy ending. There wasn’t. Gayla died less than two days after being taken from her memory care home to the ER, due to causes not directly related to Alzheimer’s. More than ten years after we first recognized instances of short-term memory loss and five years after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, the brightest light in our lives was gone. The profound feelings of sadness and emptiness have been overwhelming. Grief took control of our lives.
We all know that life is finite, but in normal day living this is an abstraction. The death of a loved one makes it real. The only solution for the resulting grief is the passage of time. Finally, weeks later, the heartbreaking memories of her decline are less vivid, subdued by the wonders of a lifetime of optimism, laughter and fulfillment. The sadness is softened by gratitude for having shared a lifelong adventure with my very best friend. I have found comfort and peace in knowing that Gayla and I have given wonderful lives to each other. We have been exceptionally fortunate.
People may die, but love lives on. Gayla’s light will continue to shine through the many people she touched, and I know that she would want me to move on with my life. I will, with a renewed interest in helping other caregivers negotiate the challenges of caregiving for their loved ones.
Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiving presents each family with stress, uncertainties, and challenges. Some relatives shy away and are unwilling or unable to help. Others step forward, driven by love and commitment. But all families are deeply affected.
This website provides a good overview of the caregiving journey for people who are experiencing caregiving challenges. And our newsletters and the News & Views section of the website will continue to bring new suggestions in the coming weeks and months.
If you have questions about the caregiving process, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected]. These will be addressed in personal responses or upcoming newsletters.