The Hard Truths I Learned While Looking After My Mother at Home.

My mother didn’t disappear overnight. She faded slowly, one memory at a time.

At first, it was small signs of Alzheimer’s—lost keys, forgotten appointments, repeated stories. Then one day, she asked if I lived next door. The diagnosis confirmed it: progressive dementia.

When my siblings talked about nursing homes and long-term care costs, I made a different choice. I brought her home and became her full-time caregiver.

Caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s changed everything—my career, my finances, my routine. Some days were tender, filled with old songs and hand squeezes. Other days were filled with fear and confusion. Even when she forgot my name, she still felt safe with me.

She passed peacefully before dawn, my hand in hers.

After her funeral, I learned she had quietly left a small account in my name—along with a letter thanking me for staying.

Alzheimer’s may steal memories. But love never fades.

If you’re caring for a loved one with dementia, you are not alone. ❤️