While Cheryl Bahen's husband, Gerry, who lives with symptoms of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, has been in a rehab hospital after a fall, the Holland Landing resident has been able to just breathe.
“You don't know the strain you are under until it is gone,” Cheryl said. “When Gerry is home, I do everything myself. A year ago, he had a fall and I could no longer leave him by himself. Now I can catch my breath. I can catch up with friends...and relax because I can't do that when Gerry is home.”
Gerry's vascular condition is the direct result of a car accident in 1970 when someone cut him off. He swerved to miss the car, hitting a hydro pole, which flattened his vehicle. Other than losing that day “he has no memory of it, that day is gone” and seizures, from which Gerry eventually recovered, he seemed to walk away from the accident.
Until about 10 years ago, when Cheryl started noticing some weird behaviour from her husband, including him forgetting where he was and not recognizing anything around him.
Gerry now needs help showering and dressing, doesn't talk as much as he used to and requires the use of wheelchair. He is waiting for a long-term care bed to open up as he now needs two people to lift him, and Cheryl is unable to do that.
“Our journey together continues.”
That journey is one that constantly changes. Caregivers, Cheryl said, require support and help, both physically and mentally, and someone to talk to. Gerry used the Alzheimer Society of York Region's Aurora DAY program, which provided routine and socialization for Gerry and respite for Cheryl.
Both took part in the Minds in Motion program for people living with early to mid-stage dementia and their caregivers held last year. Caregivers also to know about services available to them, Cheryl said.
“If more people talked about it (Alzheimer's disease, caregiver support)” more people would know of the help available to them.
September is World Alzheimer's Month, a time to share stories and raise awareness about the more than 17,000 York Region residents impacted by dementia.
Lisa Day is the communications and fund development coordinator at the Alzheimer Society of York Region.
