Jane Hardy’s mother was in a care home, but living with her daughter has transformed her
This morning, I took my mum out in her wheelchair for our daily walk, and we got chatting with a passing dog walker. ‘What a beautiful dog, what kind is it?’ my mum Beth asked, before telling this chap about the many pets she’d owned over the years.
Five minutes later, we went our separate ways, that friendly dog walker no doubt oblivious to the fact he’d just been chatting to someone with dementia.
Indeed, were anyone to visit my home, I doubt they’d realise the old lady helping me fold laundry, chatting about a story she’d just read in the newspaper or dictating where in the garden I place the plants she’d picked out at the garden centre, had been diagnosed with this horrible disease at all. How different Mum, who’s 94, is today compared to four years ago, when she was in a care home and declining rapidly. Back then, she’d lost the ability to read and write, had been put in nappies, and wouldn’t have known what to do with the tea towels she now carefully folds into neat squares.
Maintaining dignity
In the home, she was spoken to kindly, but as though she was a baby, rather than the intelligent woman she really is. Certainly, no one had time to discuss the day’s news reports with her – although, back then, she wasn’t interested in them herself.
I couldn’t bear to think that was how the end of Mum’s life was going to play out – and so, after just a couple of weeks, I started making arrangements for her to come and live with me.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
EAT WELL (even on a budget) - Easy meals that make the most of your store cupboard, and won't break the bank
Courgette and pesto pasta
The CATCH
The house was perfect - so why was it so cheap?
Elizabeth and THE RAIN
She had made Lisa's life a misery- and now she was back
I won't stop taking my daughter out of school... - TO GO TO THE BEACH!
One mum tells us why fun, spontaneous days are sometimes more important than being in the classroom
Where's the JUSTICE?
Catherine Wardle's son died over a senseless Snapchat spat
Fat-shamed BY MY MUM
Gemma Hall, 28, showed off her snaps and got a dose of tough love
Fighting for SURVIVAL
When Danielle Camilleri collapsed at 40, the diagnosis was devastating
Finding love AFTER LOSS
As Kelsey Parker moves on after losing her husband Tom, we investigate how difficult it is to find love again in widowhood
Phil's revenge
Phillip Schofield is back on our screens after a 16-month hiatus and it seems it's all-out war between the former presenter and ITV.
'I'm too scared TO HAVE SURGERY'
Christine Lampard on gratitude, staying in shape and date nights with husband Frank.