~She Has Dementia & He Is A Great Caregiver For Her~

Valdosta, Georgia
February 17, 2016 9:13am CST
We have been in the doctor's office for Julian and this lady with her son comes in. Some other lady recognized both of them but May didn't recognize her at all-which was clear. May is in her 80's and her son cares for her. She started singing out of nowhere, then she talked about her grown children and the years they were all born. Then...she came over toward me and said that is my baby your holding! She held out her arms and kept repeating that's my baby, my baby. Her son came over, grabbed her and said in a stern voice that is not your baby! He told her to go sit down and he said i am so sorry to me. I have to admit I have never been around anyone with dementia before and it made me a little nervous when she was saying I had her baby. And it also made me sad for her too. =( Do dementia patients know they have something wrong with them? I really don't know much about it so do you have experience with this illness?
18 people like this
18 responses
@LadyDuck (460049)
• Switzerland
17 Feb 16
No, dementia patient do not know that there is something wrong with them. Sometimes they act like kids, but they do not realize this.
4 people like this
• Valdosta, Georgia
17 Feb 16
@Ladyduck Yeah she had moments when she was acting like a child too. =(
2 people like this
@marlina (154165)
• Canada
17 Feb 16
Very sad to read this. And also scary.
3 people like this
• Valdosta, Georgia
17 Feb 16
@Marlina Yeah it was really sad to watch too.
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (134947)
• Roseburg, Oregon
17 Feb 16
My mother in law had dementia and she knew she had it. We found a place that said they took good care of people with dementia and she was fine one minute and the next minute she did not know who you were. She was scared one day and threw a small trash can at an aid and they arrested her. So we found another place for her to live.
2 people like this
• Valdosta, Georgia
18 Feb 16
@jstory07 Oh my gosh I can't believe they arrested her! I'm glad you found another place for her.
@amadeo (111948)
• United States
17 Feb 16
I thought my post was sad.This I do not like and yes,it is very scary.
2 people like this
• Valdosta, Georgia
17 Feb 16
@Amadeo Sorry didn't mean to make a sad discussion but I was very curious about it.
1 person likes this
@just4him (308039)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
17 Feb 16
My dad has mild dementia and he acts as though nothing is wrong, so it's doubtful.
2 people like this
• Valdosta, Georgia
18 Feb 16
@Just4him I'm sorry your dad has dementia, it is so sad.
1 person likes this
@just4him (308039)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
19 Feb 16
@LovingMyBabies It's early stages and he still seems like the same person I grew up with.
@whiteream (8567)
• United States
17 Feb 16
Although, I never had anuthing like that happen to me. I have been around people with dementia. They do not know, that there is anything wrong.
2 people like this
• Valdosta, Georgia
17 Feb 16
@Whiteream It was really sad to me, even if she doesn't know. =(
2 people like this
@whiteream (8567)
• United States
17 Feb 16
@LovingMyBabies It is very sad. My husband's grandfather had it And, it breaks my heart to hear about anyone suffering from this.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
19 Feb 16
Dementia is a terrible disease and I feel so sorry for anyone who has it. It is very difficult for the caregivers as well. Some people live with it for as much as ten years and more. Most don't even recognize their own children. Blessings.
@Blondie2222 (28611)
• United States
22 Feb 16
Some people with dementia do not know they even have it and it's hard. I know a few elderly that have it and i feel so bad for them. I hope when I get older I don't get dementia.
@aju007 (1460)
• Thiruvananthapuram, India
17 Feb 16
This really made me feel sorry for her. I also have really never been around people with mental illness. But I can imagine that it would be really hard to deal with them. May God protect us all from all illness. And may God cure her illness.
2 people like this
• Valdosta, Georgia
17 Feb 16
@Aju007 Yeah it was sad to see. The son was great with her but it did look to be very challenging. I don't think I could handle it on a daily basis.
2 people like this
• United States
17 Feb 16
That must have been quite unpleasant Lovings. No I have to say I do not know anyone with dementia.
2 people like this
• Valdosta, Georgia
17 Feb 16
@tiarasoceanview Yeah it made me a little nervous but I was glad her son was there to take care of it.
2 people like this
@gudheart (12659)
18 Feb 16
it is so sad to see someone go through this. I hope I don't ever have to witness a loved one go through it.
1 person likes this
• Valdosta, Georgia
18 Feb 16
@Gudheart Yes it is really sad. I hope I don't either. I don't know if I could handle that.
• United States
18 Feb 16
My mom has dementia & can act out like the lady you mentioned. Its sad when our parents decline this way
1 person likes this
• Valdosta, Georgia
18 Feb 16
@Marilynda1225 I'm so sorry, that must be awful seeing your mother go through that. =(
1 person likes this
• Valdosta, Georgia
18 Feb 16
@Marilynda1225 I am sure it is very hard. I saw what that guy was going through and my heart broke for him also. I cannot even imagine. =(
• United States
18 Feb 16
@LovingMyBabies It is very difficult and my mom lives with me and I care for her 24/7. I can certainly relate to the guy you met today at the dr appointment
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326648)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Feb 16
In the early stages some would know that something isn't quite right but later they don't know. It is a terrible affliction and very difficult for carers too.
1 person likes this
• Valdosta, Georgia
18 Feb 16
@judyev Yeah it is so sad. I don't think I could be a caretaker for someone with dementia. It would be so difficult.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326648)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Feb 16
@LovingMyBabies I don't think anyone should be expected to be a carer for someone with dementia. Some do and do it well but it shouldn't be expected. It is just too hard for some.
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
18 Feb 16
I have often wondered that as well. I'm not sure anyone can even answer that question. Do they know something is wrong with them.
1 person likes this
• Valdosta, Georgia
18 Feb 16
@Fishtiger58 Yeah I don't know if anyone can either. It broke my heart seeing that lady like that.
1 person likes this
@cgalavia (1436)
• Philippines
18 Feb 16
No,awful to read this.I feel pity for them for they do not know what they are doing.
• Manahawkin, New Jersey
18 Feb 16
My dad has dementia. Most of the time they don't know. They are very confused and it's very frustrating for them. It's a hard thing to deal with for both them and their loved ones. In my opinion a nursing home is best for them. They have lots of great programs for them and they are in the best care. Family can be around them and enjoy them instead of being exhausted from taking care of them.
@Scindhia (1906)
• India
18 Feb 16
Sad to hear her plight. BUt she has her son to look after her. Thats a good thing. Dementia is a terrible disease making one forget their surroundings. One of my grandmothers in my extended family had this. It was so sad to see her that way.
@Dena91 (15924)
• United States
18 Feb 16
From what I understand of the illness, the patient doesn't know what is wrong with them, just their loved ones. I haven't had to deal a lot with it but I have friends who have and it grieves my heart for them. Have a blessed day.