[asphaltgambler]

My Mother went through this while my Dad was still is relatively good state of mind and health and they were living in their home. Initially he tried to hide her condition from everyone. 3 out of 4 of us live with-in 20 mins of where we grew up. Being close we saw all the stages of decline, not only physically but attitude and her 'light' literally fade into oblivion.

Two things that strike my memory in that time was I was helping do yard work, some of which was weed-eating near the house. I happened to see some piece of paper with writing on it taped to the window. That window was in my Mother's walk-in closet on the first floor. As I went closer, I could see it was a 3"X5" index card, the kind my Mom would always use for recipe's and had her writing on it.............. "Please stay away and do not take my things anymore"......

The card was taped to the inside of the window with the writing facing out. As my Mom's mind started to fade, she would forget where she put jewelry and other things. When Dementia was in full swing, she was convinced that some-one was taking her things. So then she would hide them..............................but forget where she put them..............the cycle just continued until she did remember having things at all.


About this time she called me one evening late (for her) and in a weak and shaky voice...................said that "some man is holding me here"..............................."I want to leave and go home"..................."he won't let me"..................................

Home was where she grew up; Roanoke, Va. - as the disease continued it's strong hold it's all she would talk about.

I told my mother that I would stop by the next morning and check on her, that if she still wanted to go I'll see what I can do.................I will say it was the G********* most difficult phone conversation I've ever had to that point. The next day I stopped by and she didn't remember anything, thank God, as I'm not sure how I would've handled it.

I'm sharing this with everyone here because maybe there are others in the same situation with their parent(s). Just be patient................