In this post, Geeta Iyer explains dementia, its early signs, and the difference between age-related memory loss and dementia from a layperson’s perspective. As a caregiver to her loved one [(LO); her 94-year-old dad] living with dementia, she spreads her knowledge and views up, close, and personal. “Cognition is a term referring to the mental processes involved in gaining knowledge…
In this blog post, Geeta Iyer talks about the difficult decision of looking into dementia care facilities and also about the guilt that caregivers go through when making the tough decision of whether to leave their loved ones at an assisted facility or not. Over two years ago, it became clear to us that my dad needed 24-hour care and…
In this post, Geeta Iyer shares lighter moments that make her dad smile and laugh. Laughter may not be the best medicine, but it definitely helps her dad and her live life loud and not just survive! Heard this on a TV show the other day and it stuck with me: “You can laugh about things. You don’t have to…
When it comes to medicines, science is yet to find that miracle drug that will prevent dementia or ‘cure’ it. Geeta Iyer explores why, as a caregiver, she chooses love and kindness over medicines and their side effects for her loved one (LO)… I was on my morning walk when I ran into an old friend of dad’s. “How is…
Most primary caregivers have a yearning or prayer to be together with their Loved One (LO) for one more moment just like their old times. Geeta Iyer also yearns for one such moment in time, “No matter what kind of day I am having with my dad, I can’t help wishing for that moment…” It’s getting close to a year…
Life had somehow crowned me ‘caregiver’. With that, it also seemed to have thrown away the key to my free, single life as I had known for many decades. Life also taught me the value of community and reaching out for help! December 2018, Mumbai, India It’s 1 am and I hear faint sounds of the walker moving in the…
How I realized my dad is suffering from Dementia and its first diagnosis This blog series will contain our story. Our daily struggles and battles, some of which we win, some we don’t, and some we live with to fight another day… 2019 February, Mumbai, India | Geeta Iyer My 94-year-old dad often thinks he is on a train, without any money, and…