Hi, my name is Paula & my dad has Alzheimer’s.  

Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2012, at the age of 75. It’s not something I ever thought would affect my family & I really didn’t know much about Alzheimer’s, but over the years, I’ve blindly navigated my way through this terrible disease that’s touched my family. 

Since dads diagnosis, life has been a roller coaster of emotions. The realisation soon set in that I would soon lose the father I knew & loved something I don’t think you can ever prepare yourself for.  

In June 2017, dad lost his beautiful wife & I lost the most amazing mum. I wont lie its been bloody tough. Dad initially wasn’t able to grasp that mum had gone & was in a state of confusion for quite a while.  With lots of love & support, we got through it.  Dad managed to stay in his home for 17 months after mum passed, with much support thanks to the assistance of home care services. But in the blink of an eye, that quickly changed.  

On 1st November 2018 dad was moved into a Care Facility. There is something that touches your deepest core when packing up  81 years of your dads life into one box; moving him into a place that is no longer his home; telling him it will be ok when, really, I didn’t know if it would be. I just hoped & prayed. 

Each day brings new challenges, some days brings laughter, other days tears. But every single day I am grateful to have my dad still with me. 

This is my personal journey & experiences. I’m not a writer,  I’m not an expert at this. I’m just like thousands of other people who have had to learn about the effects of Alzheimer’s whilst watching a loved one deteriorate. 

Maybe one day there will be a cure for this terrible disease, but until then I’m hoping that by sharing my journey, I can help others or others can help me, in one small way or another.