Dementia particularly Alzheimers is a terrible illness, it effects the whole family and everyone surrounding the person who develops it. As a carer we can be a bit of light relief for spouses and family. A break in the routine, a change of conversation, a breath of normality breezing in and out. I look after one lady who has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimers who currently lives on her own. She is in her fifties folks so don't think it just effects the pensioners.
Because she forgets whether she has eaten we go in to cook a meal and encourage her to make a cup of tea.
The other day whilst serving shepherd's pie I commented 'Poor old shepherds, there used to be loads of them before they started on these pies, now they are a dying race, a rare breed. Do you know there are only a few of them left now hiding out in the hillside in fear for their lives. They estimate that one shepherd can fill up to twenty pies, but the way it is going there won't be any left soon.
The lady giggled at my childlike humour so I continued.
It's not just the shepherds though I have heard the fisherman are under threat too. I'll tell you something for nothing if they start making a Carer's pie I'm off!.
I left the left with tears in her eyes chuckling at the thought.
Today I entered her house and started to cook shepherd's pie and she turned to me and said 'Poor old shepherds . they're a dying race you know............
I have a feeling this could go be an on going saga
