July 4, 2025
Dear Dementia,
It’s the 4th of July!!! Happy Independence Day! This has always been one of my favorite holidays.
I can’t think of the 4th without thinking of the challenges and the sacrifices that help us hold this holiday each year. I have worked with many veterans, mostly WWII and Vietnam, who are now living with you. And, let me say dementia and PTSD don’t go well together. You have over ridden the stories these veterans have to keep and to tell. How can we fix this?
Did I ever tell you the story of one resident I worked with over 10 years ago? He was a WWII veteran who served in the Pacific Theatre and kept most of his stories hidden. This is not uncommon. He had Alzheimer’s (I think, I don’t remember the exact type) and one day was waking up from a nap, and thought he was back on the battle field as I walked in to invite him to join a program down the hall. It was one of the most difficult moments of that job. To join him and sit with him during this time.
I won’t divulge the details here, but it was where my desire to serve veterans living with dementia was solidified. After this moment, I went to share it with the nurse on duty, to let her know what occurred. It broke my heart when she brushed it off saying that was not possible because he did not have hallucinations as part of his dementia symptoms. Why must you override other health concerns? Dementia, you truly are great mask that hides the person you live with and make those of us who care work harder than we sometimes know how to work.
How can I work with you to better support those who help keep this country free? Who else can I invite into my work so that we can collaborate, study, and better share how to best care for those veterans now walking your journey?
Anyway, the fireworks currently sounding outside my window remind me of so many good things, the beauty of this county, and the cost that this country has paid through her citizens.
Happy Independence Day!
Until tomorrow,
Kate
