Dementia is a cruel condition.

[jon-nyc]

Sorry for your loss Mark.

We are losing my brother-in-law to Frontotemporal Dimensia at this time as well. He’s in his early 60s.

[Rich]

RIP to your mother in law. It's fortunate she had family that was able to care for her/look out for her during those years. It's difficult to think about what happens for those who have no people on their side able to help.

[Axtremus]

My condolences.

[Mik]

Cruel indeed. Very loving of you to take her into your home. I know we had only moved my MIL to memory care for a month or so before she passed. It’s tough.

[Renauda]

My condolences to you and your family, Mark. My father’s second wife, a WWII RCAF veteran, was stricken with a form of dementia that ultimately took her in 2008. He was with her at her side throughout.

[taiwan_girl]

Hugs to you @mark

Yes, dementia seems to be much harder on the care-givers than on the patient.

I have a friend in the US (maybe late 50's year old) who has a mom with dementia. She is in an assisted living place like you mention. It is one of those "age in place" and his mom has moved through the stages (starting at independent apartment living) to the most intensive assisted living.

He and his wife just found out that his wife was diagnosed with early dementia. :(. He said that while he really likes the place his mom is at and has received great care there, he realizes that he may be moving there sooner than he expected.

[Tom-K]

Mark, sorry for your loss and sorry you had to go through that hardship.

[bachophile]

may her memory be a blessing, especially the good memories when she was cognitive...., take comfort in those and not the difficult ones at the end

[cathys]

Mark - So sorry for your yours and Sarah's loss. It's like you go through two sets of mourning with Dementia - For the person who is no longer there and then again after they are physically gone. Hugs to you both

[Horace]

That is a tough road. You did a good job with it.

[Doctor Phibes]

Mark, I'm very sorry for your loss. I know the pain that dementia brings. It's a truly miserable illness.

As Bach said, try and remember her before she was ill.