Jancis

Yesterday, one of my long-term male business associates (age 53) mentioned to me for the first time ever that he is finding life stressful because his mother has AD and his father has dementia. He was aware of my own experience with father and uncle and so I was rather taken aback that he had not shared this information with me before. He's not exactly easy to get along with - very aloof and condescending at times, I work with him through joint commercial interest and it works OK. The thought crossed my mind that as he keeps things close to his chest he may be reaching crisis point to 'mention' his worries to me. It's hard to react in these circumstances - we are not business friends as such which is why I describe him as an associate. I blurted out that I was something of an expert on the subject of dementia. What a thing to say!!!!!! But that seemed to appeal to him as he said "in that case we may have a very long conversation some time". We then carried on talking business. I've been thinking about what I will say to him if or when we have that long conversation. My immediate thought was..... just tell him to sign up to Talking Point - it's a mine of information and one of the best websites for people who need support. Then I thought, no way will he relate to TP. I hope I'm wrong but I suspect that the reason there are not many sons on TP is that they will feel they are overwhelmed by the female sex. I know by instinct that my biz associate has an aversion to Love, xxxx's, Hugs, Tea, Sympathy, Prayers etc, etc. But he probably needs all of these things.