What It's Like Having A Grandparent With Alzheimer's Disease | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

What It's Like Having A Grandparent With Alzheimer's Disease

How my grandmother's Alzheimer's has changed her life and my family's.

184
What It's Like Having A Grandparent With Alzheimer's Disease
Pexels

My grandmother has Dementia. Also known as Alzheimer’s. She forgets a lot. My family is lucky that she remembers who we are, but everyday is different and we have to remind ourselves that she might not remember us tomorrow.

I am telling my story for those people who also have grandparents with Alzheimer’s. For those people whose grandparents cannot remember what they ate that morning or where they are, or even who their own family is. It’s a horrible disease that takes away the person you’ve known your whole life and turns them into a stranger whom you are saddened to be around.

Growing up, I was always excited to travel to see my grandma. She was old fashioned, which is the opposite of my mom's mom, but that’s what I loved about her. I am not talking in the past tense and saying, “she was” because she is gone, but because she is not the grandmother I used to know. She forgets what day it is and whether or not she ate the meal before. She forgets where she is and how she got there. But she remembers us. My dad, her son, who I can see holds back his emotions to appear stronger for everyone else. My mom, who is so incredibly supportive and helpful with her and who tries to stay strong for my dad. And my sisters and I, who remember visiting her house and looking at old photos, never imagining that one day we would be visiting her in a nursing home, where she is in the same clothes from the day before because she cannot remember when she last changed outfits.

But don’t let me make her sound so sad; she is still as comical as ever. She jokes about everything, even jokes about her forgetting things. It is amazing how by the expressions on our faces, she is able to tell that we have heard the question she just asked about five times before that. She uses context clues to fill her in on what is going on and to catch on to things happening around her. Dementia, forgetting, does not make you stupid and does not make you lesser than everyone else. My grandmother is not lesser than others because of this disease; she just simply does not have the memory that she used to.

I have to say that the hardest part of her Dementia is our having to pretend like everything is “normal.” Having to act as though we have not heard the same thing said three to seven times in a row in the five minutes before, having to answer without sounding as if it is a burden to, having to smile through the pain of knowing that her brain is not allowing her to remember simple things like the day of the week, and having to hold onto the memories of what she used to be like, in order to not get completely lost in the person this disease made her.

My family and I consider everyday with my grandmother a blessing. We try to push past the idea that this disease is masking person who she used to be. We recognize that there could be a day when she does not recognize us at all. I never want my grandmother to feel so alone that she does not know anyone, including herself. I cannot imagine pain that that would cause her and my family. So for my grandmother’s sake and my family’s sake, I hope that the day she does not recognize us, never comes.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

6046
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less
Jenna Pizzi and her mom smiling by a waterfront with a historic ship in the background.
Jenna Pizzi

There is always a time in the semester when you have about three papers, four tests, five assignments and two projects due within the same time period. Isn't that just the best?

It's almost as if the professors all plot against you just to make college even more stressful than it already is. No matter how many people try to make you feel better, no one ever compares to your mom. Moms always know exactly what to say.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Jobs Your Roommate Has

She's got your back with everything that college throws at you.

3797
Cristina Yang and Meredith Grey in scrubs sit against a wall, smiling and enjoying a break.

If you are anything like my roommate and I, you have a friendship with your roomie. You’re lucky to have gotten a roommate that is easy to get along with and more importantly cool to live with. Whether you found her on Facebook or went random, a roommate is a big part of life in college. This list goes through some of the jobs that a roommate has that help you get through college.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

35 Things I Wish I Learned In My Freshman Year Of College

Just some relatable college student advice! Yes, you aren’t the only one!

2995
Towson University
YouTube

Freshman year can either be the greatest year, or the roughest year. It depends on your transition and how you adjust. For me, freshman year in college was one of the best years of my life. However, looking back, there are a few things that I wish I learned.

Now that I am a sophomore, I can finally do things a little differently. Here are a few things that I wish I learned my freshman year of college!

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments