LIVING WITH DEMENTIA EP. 17 | FRUSTRATIONS ARE HIGH AS WE PROGRESS

I appreciate your and Jason's decision to keep private those times that Jason is not in top form. Your love is what shines through and that's enough. God bless you both.

Leslie you are gifted at caring for your husband and respecting him. That is an art.

I know that "show boating" is a coping mechanism, but he's hilarious and he watches for your reaction. It's cute. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Prayers for you both and big hugs. (PS: He's losing a lot of "things". Bank card. Freedom of travel. And more. And he knows it's not going to get better. I'm a retired RN too Leslie. But I'm sure you realize that since you have a support group.) More prayes and more hugs! ❤🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻

Showtiming is real. So much so, that many people with dementia are able to “fool” their family members, friends, and even their doctors into thinking that everything is OK for a very long time. I truly believe that this is why it is sometimes so difficult to get diagnosis. My mother was able to hide her symptoms for a long time, and my father covered up for her too, because he didn’t want their lives to change. I noticed the changes because I was around more often, but others refused to believe at first because my mother was so good at putting on a show during family visits, outings, etc. Only a full time caregiver knows the true score. Sending love and support to you both.

Jason’s intelligence and ability to articulate is amazing. As his caregiver you are doing an amazing job. Showboating is a great coping default and may the show go on🥳. Dementia is not a cookie cutter diagnosis!

I wish I had known about your channel when my sister and I were taking care of our Mom( who passed away in January 2022, 8 years post her Alzheimer's diagnosis) we were fortunate to have the help of CNA's towards the end of her illness, however, all of her services came to a screeching halt once the pandemic hit. And while we were lucky enough to work remotely, we became our Mom's full time, 24/7 caregiver. As her illness progressed, she became highly agitated, and was awake all night, and slept very little during the day. It was not an easy task, we had some really rough days and sleepless nights, however we took comfort in the fact that we did all that we could for her to make her comfortable and feel loved. Thank you for validating the feelings of caregivers.❤

No one knows until you have gone thru it, I did. God bless both of you🙏🏻❤️

I'm glad the aircraft loader thing happened and that the item purchased is so obvious to both of you to see that finances should be managed by her. I'm so proud of him for realizing it and accepting it. God bless you both.

I’m glad you don’t show Jason’s worse times . Protecting him is important. Equally expressing the real life of dealing and living with this horrible disease is surely helping others.

No one knows about my husband’s dementia. I am able to navigate situations and keep him calm and jump in when he needs me. He appears normal to everyone. He went to bed at 5 tonight after a 2 hour nap this afternoon. Mood swings are quick and volatile. But everyone else sees him as normal. I feel your frustration

Having a very different kind of chronic illness, I find myself trying to mask/hide how I’m really feeling. It’s exhausting. I suspected Jason might do the same. I really appreciate the two of you sharing your story. I wish you both well.

The anger is what I'm having the worst time with. A man who never raised his voice at me nor ever talked down to me has made a complete flip. I have to go to what I've discovered as my safe place and cry. Far, far removed from the man I married but for better or worse and we promised each other to be there forever. As bad as it hurts there are still good times. And as long as he still calls me "SWEETIE", I know we'll be ok. Such a horrible thing to watch and deal with and what's to come.

Leslie you were kinda sassy in this video, I loved it! And omg I have to admit I laughed when you revealed the purchase was an airplane loader! I did not see that one coming 😆

You two truly are amazing! It must be so very difficult going through this journey together…yet you both still maintain your sense of humor. You both are in my prayers and I wish you the very best. Happy Father’s Day to Jason. Thank you for sharing your lives so openly. I enjoy listening to the two of you!💜

Thank you so much for this very special video on frustration. My ex-wife has the beginning stages of dementia and our two daughters are in denial. I will have them watch this for sure . thank you so much. I really appreciate both of you for sharing your journey.

I sincerely appreciate the both of you sharing your journey. My Daddy lived almost 10 years with dementia. It is definitely a difficult disease. He passed away at 65 years young. I love how you both use humor to deal with many of the difficult moments. I use to say, “if I am not laughing, I would be crying all the time”! Please don’t ever let anyone still your joy. Or for one minute doubt your decisions and care giving skills for Jason. Jason keep dreaming big! Love your enthusiasm for life.

If anyone is unkind to Leslie I’m going to hunt you down. How dare you be critical of her. Leslie block those people who choose not to take your word for how things are. When a man with dementia has to ask folks to be kind, it’s a very sad day. ❤

My heart goes out to you both. People who don’t understand dementia, or live with someone who has this terrible disease can be very cruel. I’m happy that you both do these videos, and Leslie, I’m sooo glad that you have a group to find some comfort in. Blessings to you both 💞 ☮️💖🙏

As a retired RN myself, I worked with dementia patients. The general public has no idea what goes on, and truthfully some don't want to know. YOU are doing what's best for Jason. THAT is what is important! I know you know, you can't do it all. Please rely on your support system a little bit more.

Even with the struggles Jason is having his intelligence and sense of humor still shines through so much. It is so wonderful that Jason is willing to share the good and bad. Thank you to you both and I'm always sending prayers your way❤