There's a Dog in the Garden

Never easy reading about the struggle of those living with a loved one with dementia but grateful my book can provide some help…🙏🏻

“I have been caring for my husband for almost 3 years now ..he has Lewy Body Dementia. Recently, I put him into respite care as I was very tired, however in the secure dementia unit he became aggressive to staff and following several incidents was admitted to local hospital for assessment. He now needs to be in psycho geriatric care. The thought of being apart is heart wrenching.
My sister inlaw came across your book and gave it to me, I read it and gained a lot in doing so. Having read your Mother's journey, like you I want the very best care I can find for him, a loving care placement.” DS

The days can be rocky and the path ahead uncertain when journeying with a loved one with dementia.
It can feel like climbing a mountain with no end in sight. By not looking too far ahead and taking small steps your resilience will grow. Be encouraged….kia kaha

Children are great company for dementia sufferers! They are accepting, don’t ask a lot of questions and don’t notice if the conversation isn’t quite right!! Delightful! This pic is a great memory 🫶

Remembering this day a few years ago…it was a traumatic day for me and I needed to be alone. I was heartbroken because for the first time in her LBD journey my Mum had looked at me blankly not knowing who I was…. I didn’t know if this was going to be the new normal?

This is a really tough phase in the dementia decline and my heart goes out to those for whom this is their reality.

A Bible verse came to mind that day which comforted me, God says - “even if your mother forgets you, I will never forget you, never...” Isaiah 49:15

Those who live with LBD sufferers comment on the stress of coping with their hallucinations. These can be confronting and unbelievably hard to reason with. But they are ‘real’ to them and it’s important to ‘go along’ with what they’re seeing and provide comfort and reassurance.

One reader recently wrote:

“I now know not to dismiss their claims but to my relief to embrace their claims and listen to what they say even though they might be far fetched in my view. I have a few amazing incidents and this seems to make sense of it all.”

My Mum often ‘saw’ a dog in the garden; the sketch below was drawn by my daughter-in-law, a poignant image of what Mum may have ‘seen’?

At the start of 2026 my husband was unexpectedly admitted to hospital for open heart surgery, we never saw this coming….and it left us shocked to say the least- he’s a healthy specimen the last person you would suspect.

Dementia can be like that - a diagnosis that is shocking and often not what we expected and don’t feel ready or prepared for…

I cover this in my book and the journey we went on when we received the diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia for my beloved Mum.
PM me if you would like a copy. $30

With Christmas only a week away I’m thinking of those for whom Christmas will be different this year - a family member with dementia who may not remember who you are, still present but different…not easy..

May there be moments of joy and love in the midst of it all.
God bless 🙏🏻

Family gatherings and milestones can be challenging as we’re never sure how our loved ones with dementia will be. Antisocial behaviour comes with the disease making us uneasy in a gathering.

One such birthday for me was when my Mum who had loved family gatherings, made it very clear that she did want to be there refusing to even get out of the car. So unlike her.

The unpredictability of Lewy Body Dementia is distressing, it’s important to learn to take it one day at a time, even one hour at a time.

Caring for someone with dementia can feel overwhelming, a heavy load to carry alone! Self care is so important, share how you’re doing with others, ask for help… close friends and things that fill your cup enable you to keep going…

Carers are a game changer for our loved ones with dementia. This pic warms my heart, this carer gave her time, her attention and kindness to my Mum💓.
I’ll always be grateful for the unsung hero’s who daily care for those suffering with dementia and whose work is unseen by most.