Words of a father to a daughter

January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.

During the month, the Alzheimer’s Society encourages people to learn about dementia and the experiences of people living with dementia. Over half a million Canadians live with dementia. This is expected to almost double by 2030. 1 in 5 Canadians have experience caring for someone with dementia. Yet there is still stigma and misunderstanding.

My father has Alzheimer’s. For the past two or three years I have been jotting down words and phrases he has said. It’s a long and varied list. Sad, humorous, jumbled, clear, wise, heartbreaking. I decided to turn some of these notes into an essay about our visits focusing on some of the wonderful words my Dad has said.

Here is the link to the essay published in the Globe and Mail in November: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/first-person/article-dad-has-alzheimers-im-learning-to-live-with-what-he-has-to-give/

The resources of the Alzheimer’s Society are incredibly valuable. I have learned so much from their education courses and materials as well as the many conversations with our counsellor. If you are looking for information about dementia or how to approach this challenging topic, I encourage you to reach out to your local Alzheimer’s Society office. Alzheimer’s is incredibly sad and constantly changing. I was apprehensive on my first visit to the Burlington office but I am so glad I walked through the door (back when we could do such things in person).

Finally, the cover photo is one of the photos I refer to in the essay: my Dad holding me as a baby. I also mention a photo of me from high school with big bushy hair. I will not subject you to that frizzy mop! Trust me, the baby photo is the better one.