Hey,
My dad has had dementia since before our children were born, they are now 4 and 7. My 4 year old has no awareness for it whatsoever, however my 7 year old is so good and so patient with dad I couldn’t be prouder. He is a sensitive sole at heart. For years dad has been forgetful, struggles to follow simple instructions and has of recent , been aggressive. My son takes it all in his stride, we do hide the wandering from him because he worries, other than when he turns up at our house multiple times a week!!! We are very lighthearted about it in front of the kids and I guess it’s just their‘normal’. The last couple of months dad has really declined, he’s more withdrawn, grumpy, confused, forgets I’m his daughter. Today Dad was really down saying he didn’t know where he should be or who he should be with etc. When my son over heard us talking about it earlier he was so concerned, the question is always ‘is he dying’. Of course I tell him everybody dies eventually but he seems really bothered. I just want to make sure I cause minimal upset and don’t want to cause any long term issues with death etc. Your advice or tips would be so welcome please.
I am struggling to hold back the tears when I see dad at the moment and the children can sense it.
thank you so much x
My dad has had dementia since before our children were born, they are now 4 and 7. My 4 year old has no awareness for it whatsoever, however my 7 year old is so good and so patient with dad I couldn’t be prouder. He is a sensitive sole at heart. For years dad has been forgetful, struggles to follow simple instructions and has of recent , been aggressive. My son takes it all in his stride, we do hide the wandering from him because he worries, other than when he turns up at our house multiple times a week!!! We are very lighthearted about it in front of the kids and I guess it’s just their‘normal’. The last couple of months dad has really declined, he’s more withdrawn, grumpy, confused, forgets I’m his daughter. Today Dad was really down saying he didn’t know where he should be or who he should be with etc. When my son over heard us talking about it earlier he was so concerned, the question is always ‘is he dying’. Of course I tell him everybody dies eventually but he seems really bothered. I just want to make sure I cause minimal upset and don’t want to cause any long term issues with death etc. Your advice or tips would be so welcome please.
I am struggling to hold back the tears when I see dad at the moment and the children can sense it.
thank you so much x