What is it like to love someone who forgets you?

Dementia, is a terible  sickness, so sad if you can remember your loved one.


For Sazlina Yusof (name changed), one of the hardest decisions the family made was to sell their car to prevent her father from taking off without the family’s knowledge.

“He was very persistent about wanting to leave the house and we cannot allow him to do so,” said the 41-year-old, adding that he has fled the home on several occasions.

He’s lost his memory and cannot recall the family members. “He doesn’t remember any of us,” she adds sadly.

Dementia, which characterises a range of symptoms including a decline in memory and thinking skills, can negatively affect a person’s ability to perform their daily activities.

Few are diagnosed in the early stages, and many only seek treatment at a later stage.

With dementia, the challenges are monumental for the patient. However, caregivers themselves are faced with their own set of challenges, where emotional scars are often left unknown to others.

Apart from the physical and emotional toll on caregivers, families are also left to make tough decisions for their dementia-stricken loved ones, including taking their rights away to ensure their safety.

 “I kept my father confined and he gets very upset about it. He has also lost the perception that the house is his home and felt that he was held in a place against his wishes,” said Sazlina.

original story here

ME AND YOU AND A DOG NAMED BO

Yes today I was appointed the unofficial nanny for Derissa my granddaughter, as everyone is at work.
I came back from my work place at  kulai early this early and did not have any plan for today. Yes it was just me and her plus our pet dog bobo.  My son had let her roam the house freely and did not put her in the cage. As usual she will put her mark everywhere as she likes. And I have to clean up the mess. Usually I don't mind , but today I had to take care of Derissa and so my hands were very tied up. Anyway I had a good time with her. I got up early, surf the net a bit  and shower just in time to hear Darissa 's alarm.   I  bathed her and then fed her, before letting  her to sleep again.  I enjoyed every minute I was with her. I have to as I only got to see her like twice a month.  Elation is the word to describe the state I am in now. I know she will not forget these moments even when she grows up This brought back memories of the time I spent with another child. Many years ago I help a friend of mine to take care of her little girl. Since I stayed nearby their baby sitter's care center. The center closed at 6.00pm, and because their work place was very far away they have sought my help to pick up their girl and later they will pick her up from my home. I continue with this arrangement for quite a number of years. The baby sister was also a mutual friend of ours and she knew I do not have any daughter of my own and I was very fond of the little girl I was taking care of,so she suggested they let me to be the girl's God father. I loved the idea and the parent too , as there was no objection. And so I became someone's instant God father . Sometimes the girl even stay over when her parent went on holiday.  Few years passed by and the girl turn 13 and as usual I will open my arms to hug her, but this time strangely she shunned away and told me "things are different now"  I still could not understand what she meant to this day. I told her father who  promised to find out what happen, but I have yet to get an answer .   These days even whenever she sees me , no more Daddy like  she used to call me back then. It was just a simple hello. or hi.Where are your manners girl?  I am much older if you can't call me Daddy at least out of respect addressed me as Uncle! Most of the kids in church will call me that .Damm!  to think  I even bathe her and clean her pet pet(her bottoms) and this is the reward I got? .The moral of the story your own blood will  always be closer to you.

My grand daughter,Darissa

Bobo, the family dog