19 bitter-sweet anecdotes about dementia that are incredibly moving
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, one in six people over the age of 80 in the UK is living with dementia, and with the population living longer, this means many of us know someone with the condition, often a close relative. Composer Nick Harvey and his family have been experiencing this, due to his dad, Paul’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Recently, Nick shared one of the bitter-sweet aspects of being around someone with dementia.
Having a parent with dementia is, for the most part, pretty grim. Occasionally, however, there are lighter moments.
Dad just rang me.
“Who wrote Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story?” he asked.
“Err, Leonard Bernstein.”
“That’s it. Of course! Thanks, Nick.”
[click]
— Nick Harvey (@mrnickharvey) May 26, 2019
His followers began sharing their own similar experiences, and they’re uniquely touching, with a darkly comical aspect.
1.
When my mum could barely talk anymore she used to send us clippings from the Guardian that she thought we’d like. She could still write, but with decreasing coherence. One of the last I received. Makes me simultaneously laugh and feel sad. Her name was Jane. pic.twitter.com/Vx8ErZsPeM
— Moose Allain Ꙭ (@MooseAllain) May 26, 2019
2.
Both my parents had dementia. Mum would sometimes worried say, "I don't want to go to school today, I've not studied for the test." And I'd say, "I'll fix it! I'll call the school, explain, and we'll stay home and eat sweeties." Complete joy for mum. Bunking off school at 80 yrs
— Julie Twaddell (@Julie_Twaddell) May 26, 2019
3.
My mum pictured below,got dementia at 85. A year later,she received a nationwide ban from all UK ASDA for shoplifting.
She was treated rather badly, but the matter was resolved thanks to her geriatric psychiatrist.
After discussing it with her, she said “ I’ll try Waitrose next” pic.twitter.com/eiBQQscxmx— Nigel Daniel (@Nobbydaniel8) May 26, 2019
4.
My Nan, who lived under the flight path of Birmingham airport and who pre-dementia would blush if someone said “bloody”, phoned our house and told me “the fucking Germans are flying over again”. She didn’t swear again for months and nobody in my family believed me.
— Patches (@patchesbevan) May 26, 2019
5.
My grandfather had dementia. He used to know that his teeth needed to be put somewhere when he took them out but couldn’t remember where. We found them, at various times, in the fridge, the washing machine, the top oven, and the bath.
— Happy (@HappySadCross) May 26, 2019
6.
My grandpa had Alzheimer's. One Christmas he said "you know what I haven't watched for years? The Sound of Music." I said "we have that on video". So we watched it. I rewound it. He said, "you know what I haven't watched for years…" We watched it 3 times in all. Back to back.
— Ruth Bratt (@ruthbratt) May 27, 2019
7.
My dad would phone me in the middle of the night to tell me his phone wasn’t working. It’s funny now…
— Sally Strawberry (@kentishsal) May 26, 2019
8.
My dad told me that the Russians were building their new embassy on the banks of the estuary in Newport, Pembrokeshire, and that the pubs were full of KGB men. Not in a mad paranoid conspiracy way, but “isn’t that interesting?”.
— Miranda Arnold (@MirandaArnold) May 26, 2019
9.
Whenever we left the house, my Nana used to turn off every plug and remove the socket.
She also always put the kettle underneath the work surface, just in case Bournemouth experienced a freak earthquake whilst we were out, and caused the kettle to turn itself on. #Bless
— Paula Asghar. (@pollyplink) May 26, 2019
10.
This thread is awesome, When my dad was in hospital with Dementia he told me Mick Hucknell had been in the day before with a camera crew, He Also asked 2 nurses for their passports so he could see if his sons fancied a date with them, we both have girlfriends of over 10 years
— JonnyBarnes (@JonnyBarnes13) May 27, 2019
