Kelley Irwin

One day this week (Oct 2023), a friend greeted me by saying he was thinking of my dad. It stopped me in my tracks.

It has been one year since we received a formal medical diagnosis of dementia.

I am writing about our experience to raise awareness. It is difficult to be so open, so honest, so vulnerable. Leaders are expected to have knowledge and answers. I don’t have the answers for this journey. I am learning day by day.

Many people greet me and ask how Dad is. This is a difficult question to answer. Dementia patients don’t get better. And my heart feels heavy when people ask how he is. I don’t want to answer with a big, long story. I also don’t want to fluff off the question.

Having my friend just say he was thinking of Dad felt warm and kind. It allowed me to respond with a smile and a thanks. Simple? Maybe. Welcome? Indeed.