Ellen Warren turns to her mother, seated next to her on the bed, and says, “I’m your daughter”.
Her mother, Beryl, breaks down in tears and says, “I’m so sorry.”
Ms Warren realised something wasn’t right with her mother about eight years ago when they were living together in Altona Meadows.
Her mother was initially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, but as the disease progressed it became clear she had vascular dementia, which is caused by mini-strokes affecting the part of the brain associated with learning, memory and language.
Ms Warren is speaking out ahead of World Alzheimer’s Day next Monday in the hope of increasing people’s understanding of the disease.
About 81,000 people in Victoria are living with dementia and with an ageing population the figure is expected to grow to 246,000 by 2050.
When her mother had a full stroke, Ms Warren left her job to care for her.
“I made the most of the time I had with mum because I knew the day would come when she wouldn’t know me,” she said.
“There are days you cope with it, there are days when it’s hard. There are days when you just want your mum to hug you.”
Ms Warren said that just because her mother had lost cognitive function, it didn’t mean she could not enjoy life.
“It doesn’t mean you don’t enjoy sitting in the sun,” she said. “It doesn’t mean you don’t enjoy having a cup of coffee.
“You may forget where you are or you may need someone with you to remind you to pay, but your life still goes on.”
The chief executive of Alzheimer’s Australia Vic, Maree McCabe, said a general lack of understanding and fear of dementia was the main reason people with the disease became isolated.
“People are unaware of the symptoms and unsure how to respond to the changes in a person they have always known,” she said. “We would like to see people use Dementia Awareness Month as an opportunity to become more informed.”
You can join the conversation about dementia on social media on #ItStartsWithYou.
For more information, phone the National Dementia Helpline on 1800100500 or visit fightdementia.org.au
