“It’s an emotional roller coaster ride.”
That’s from Harold Hefferton, an Ambassador for the Canadian Alzheimer Society’s national campaign “I Live with Dementia. Let Me Help You Understand,” and one of the Board of Directors with the Alzheimer Society of NL.
His wife, Barb, of 50 years has dementia and lives in long-term care.
Hefferton says every day is different, and emphasizes that dementia involves more than one person. People tend to concentrate on the person with the disease, but the caregiver needs help as well—which is what originally led him to the Alzheimer Society.
Another key message, Hefferton states that just because someone is diagnosed with dementia doesn’t mean they’re no longer the same person.
While the disease may take prominence, and the person may react differently, they’re still the same person. However, he says, Alzheimer’s is now a part of their journey.
With the national campaign, they’re trying to end the stigma around the disease.
Hefferton says a lot of people tell memory and Alzheimer jokes, but in reality it’s a horrid disease, and something he calls “a long goodbye.”