Trish “I recently helped my mother move into an assisted living facility. It was one of the most difficult decisions of my life. I had told myself that I would never put my mother in a facility, but I had no other choice. I couldn’t properly care for her anymore. I visit her as often as I can, but it’s just not the same with her not around. Susan “I’m struggling with keeping track of all the medications my mom is taking. She was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and now she is having trouble remembering when to refill her prescriptions. I’ve been trying to help remind her about visiting the pharmacist and making her other appointments, but she still forgets sometimes. I’ve been helping her as much as I can, but I’m taking care of my own children as well. There’s only so much time in the day!” Louise “My friends tell me they miss seeing me. I used to have such an active social life; my girlfriends and I had a book club that met weekly, but in the past few months my dad’s dementia has progressed and he needs my help every day. Don’t get me wrong, I love caring for my father, but sometimes I feel as though I have no time for myself.” Angelica “My partner, Shannon, has been in a skilled nursing facility the past few months as a result of her declining health. Physically, her health has declined so much that she is trapped in her bed, in her room; however, cognitively she is just fine. I try to visit her as much as possible, but it’s difficult, and I feel as though many of the staff do not understand or appreciate our relationship. That makes everything more challenging.” Paul “My mom still lives by herself, but I come around a couple of times a week to help her with paying her bills and other household activities. Her health and memory have been slowly declining, but for the most part she can still live pretty independently. However, last time I visited I noticed she had food that smelled rotten in the fridge. She said the food hadn’t smelled bad to her. It also looked like she had forgotten to make her weekly grocery trip.” Fred & Stella “I was so scared the other day when Fred wandered off! I was getting dinner ready and the next thing I knew he wasn’t in the house. I called the police, but luckily one of our neighbors down the street saw him and called me. I’m not sure what to do. I want him to remain independent, but I’m scared he may get really lost or hurt one day.” Naomi “I’ve been feeling really depressed lately. My husband has dementia and it’s become so bad that he can’t remember me anymore. It’s so difficult losing someone before they are even gone.” Ron, Sonia & Christina “My dad has always been very independent, but recently his declining health and memory loss has made it difficult for him to engage in the activities he used to. My wife and daughter have expressed some concern about him as well. When they go over for a visit, they say that he still wants to drive himself around even though he often forgets where he puts his keys, or even what errand he was going on.” Christina “My Grandpa loves to visit the local farmer’s market. He can’t get around too well and the doctor said he can’t drive himself anymore. I try to help him out as often as I can, but I have classes and work most of the days the farmer’s market is open. The buses don’t run through his neighborhood, so he has no means to get himself around.” Georgie “It’s becoming very difficult to help my husband. He is in the later stages of dementia and needs help with everything. I have to bathe him, feed him, and dress him. We are both in our eighties and I just can’t physically help him like I used to. I want to know if there are resources out there to help me. I don’t have a computer, but my daughter recently gave me a smartphone.”