"My mother was officially diagnosed with dementia two-and-a-half years ago at the age of 95. It was difficult for both her and me. She'd always been a beautiful, vibrant woman, and we've been very close. She's had a challenging life, particularly after being widowed when my father died at just 45, and her second husband died of Parkinson's disease 26 years ago. She's now 97 years old, and her longevity is making me question my own mortality."
"She was extremely vivacious and independent, working in sales and volunteering at a hospice and a museum. Her friends relied on her to take them to appointments because she drove until she was 92. Sadly, that all changed when I noticed some big changes. She experienced memory loss and stopped looking after her apartment in an assisted living facility in Delray, Florida. It was a mess, and I'd often receive calls from the staff saying they were worried about her health."
Robert Fishman, 73, visits his 97-year-old mother with dementia every other day. She was diagnosed two-and-a-half years ago at 95. She had been vivacious, independent, worked in sales, volunteered, and drove until 92. After cognitive decline she stopped caring for her assisted-living apartment in Delray, Florida, leading staff concerns. He and his wife moved her closer to Maryland where she now lives about two miles away. She frequently does not recognize him, sometimes mistaking him for his father, and can be physically violent during visits, complicating care routines. Her longevity has led him to reflect on his mortality and future care needs.
Read at Business Insider
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