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MidLife Caregiving – a note from home
Our rich & busy life here in McLeod Ganj continues on. Two weeks of volunteering have gone by quickly, only three more to go, sadly. We’re already talking about coming back to teach at ‘our’ center for two months at a later date.
But today’s blog is a short note about home, based on a beautiful email I received from my brother Johnny about our mother:
He is a new grandfather; his daughter had a baby boy in mid September, so that makes me a great aunt! Johnny’s daughter, partner & baby visited him on the Sunshine Coast of BC last weekend & he took them to visit our mother. The idea was to introduce her to her great grandson.
As many of you know, our mother has severe Alzheimer’s. Johnny wrote me that after about an hour she began to make the connections about her granddaughter, great grandson etc. were. Lately that it takes her longer to tune in to us, but she always seems to get there. Then my brother placed the baby in mom’s arms & helped her hold him. He said that she instantly ‘clicked into mother/grandmother mode’. It was a very touching sight to see.
It was heartwarming for me to get this email, & I think it’s another important reminder to all of us not to underestimate our elders who have dementia.
i am very glad to read this about nain. i hadn’t considered her having a great grandchild. it’s so good that she was able to connect, for everyone
Congratulations to your whole family: the first of the next generation. Very cool. My sister’s son Liam and his partner Amber are due to have a baby this week, so I am looking forward to becoming a great-aunt as well!!