Touching Base - It's been a while

So much has happened since I last posted

I've been really struggling with my own mental health as well as my parents health problems which has made me feel so very anxious

A couple of weeks ago mum suffered another mini stroke (TIA) it's the third one since her original  stroke, which makes it so hard for me to find both the time and inclination to update my blog for which I can only apologise for my absence

As a family we recently spent a long weekend in Windsor as I was also doing a sponsored 10K to raise funds for The Hunter Centre which is the day centre my dad attends each week for people with dementia and without who's support I'd be really struggling, Boris also celebrated his 11th birthday whilst we were away

Image - Full body shot of Boris the Black Cocker Spaniel majestically sitting on the Long Walk leading up to Windsor Castle, his head is turned towards the left of shot and he's wearing a rainbow and silver coloured rosette that says Happy Birthday in the middle

Since dad broke his hip last year his alzheimer's has progressed significantly and his temperament towards me has changed dramatically, so much so that I don't recognise him as the kind loving dad I grew up anymore which is a struggle to cope with especially as now that both my parents have dementia, neither of them know who I am most days which can be very debilitating, so it makes a huge difference having somebody to talk to at The Hunter Centre who really understands the struggles

The Hunter Centre is a safe space with varied and engaging activities happening each week which helps to keep dad and other clients with dementia happy and engaged with whatever is going on around them, no two days are ever the same and all big events are celebrated, the staff are so dedicated to creating fun activities and joining in with everything to ensure that nobody is ever left out.

The weekly support group The Hunter Centre runs on a Tuesday is extremely helpful for advice, but most importantly it's the support of being around others who are going through exactly the same struggles and can relate. Unless you've lived with someone who has dementia it's difficult for others to understand that there's no such thing as taking time off for yourself, it's a full time job and it's extremely stressful and exhausting because situations can change in an instant and supervision is required 24/7 now that mum and dad's dementia is so advanced.

My favourite time is when I arrive to collect dad and I get to see my dad as he used to be which is happy, he's usually holding court and singing away to the tunes of his youth or is involved in deep conversation with one of the amazing staff members.

For a short time I get to be with the dad I once knew and we always have such an animated conversation on the way home about the exciting things dad's been doing that day.

I hate pulling up outside of my parents house because I know that by the time I get round to dads side of the car to help him out the memories of that day are starting to fade and he'll no longer see who I am any more

The Hunter Centre relies entirely on donations to keep going and offer such an amazing and outstanding support system to those living with dementia and those caring for someone with dementia

Please help me to support The Hunter Centre in all they do for the community

Dawn, Boris & Eko xxx 

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