Thank you all for your thoughts and wishes. I have had a busy couple of days organising things. The family was all agreed we would honour mum‘s wishes, well known to us all, for a direct cremation and unattended scattering of her ashes in the crematorium rose gardens. So no funeral as such to be sorted out, and the cremation will take place early next week.
Mum’s dementia journey post diagnosis was much shorter than it is for many of your PWDs and whilst the last year has been tough, I am still in awe of the love and dedication so many of you have for your PWD over very long periods, often years. I wish you all the strength to continue with your love and care, in whatever form “care” needs to be.
My focus now is on Dad, who is growing more confused himself but not, it seems, with dementia as such. He is deteriorating and feels Mum’s loss even though she had not been at home with him for some time. As he said, it’s very strange knowing that she now cannot come back, even though in practice she would not have done so anyway.
The support and advice I’ve had from forum members has been so valuable, I have really appreciated it.