Living with Dementia: Don & Mary’s Story
Several years ago, Don Humphrey began experiencing increasing trouble with his memory – an issue that seeped into his work, as well. Eventually – and after a few accidents with heavy equipment – Don had to retire early. Then, around 2016, Don was referred to Mercy’s Center for Memory Health and initially diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, which later developed into mild dementia by 2020.
Don’s wife, Mary, shared that the Center for Memory Health staff has been helpful and understanding of what they’re going through.
“They’ve made suggestions for how to deal with remembering to take medicine,” she said. “Helped him get onto medications and a mood enhancer. As things progressed, they suggested Don might want to only drive in town, and then just during the day. They also suggested that he not play the radio so he doesn’t get distracted. It’s those small things that have been very helpful.”
While at the Center for Memory Health for one of their six-month check-ups, Don and Mary picked up a brochure about the Family Caregivers Center of Mercy.
“The first sessions that we went to there were couples-related,” Mary said. “From there, it’s grown. I have continued to take caregiver classes and we’ve continued with the couples group and have made some very good friends in that group. Eventually, it evolved into conversations with couples. Don is getting as much out of the couples group as I am.”
Every other week, the couples go to coffee, lunch or public events together. Mary said that the group helps reinforce the importance of socializing. Don enjoys himself, too.
“With this dementia I’ve got, I sit in my house,” Don shared. “But, at the Caregivers Center, I get in with a group of people like that, who’ve got what I’ve got, and I make friends. And, we can do things with our friends, and it is just fantastic!”
Don also notices how people come out of their shell in the group.
“They need other people, such as myself, to talk first,” he said. “I’m just feeling very fortunate that I’m not that far along and I can still talk with people, converse, carry on conversations.”
Mary added that the small group has also helped her to communicate with her family regarding Don’s condition.
“They make suggestions in some of the support groups we go to,” she said. “Ways to help my nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters to understand Don’s situation/our situation. All in all, it’s been a positive experience.”
To learn more the Family Caregivers Center of Mercy, visit www.mercycare.org/caregivers.
