Mama’s life with Alzheimer’s

05/01/2026

04/26/2026

Last night heaven gained the most beautiful woman! My mama, Jeanette, was the kindest, most gracious, loving woman I’ve known. She was loved by everyone, had a great sense of humor, and made everyone feel loved. She battled Alzheimer’s for the last 20 years, and was bedridden for the last two months. I’m confident that she’s enjoying heaven with my dad, and all her other friends and relatives that passed before her. She was peaceful and comfortable all the way until her last breath. Mike and I were with her all day, including her last moments. She is missed, but we’re grateful she’s free!

04/25/2026

My mama is at the end of her life. I have so many great memories spending time with her. Here’s a favorite video from May2025 where she’s helping make a Greek green bean dish.

04/19/2026

Great tips to guide anyone with dementia. We also labeled our kitchen and bathroom. We also put directions on walls for my mom so she could find her bathroom.

04/19/2026

I started this page to help others caring for their parents. I want them to know they’re not alone. I want them to have more information and resources than I did when I started this journey. This week I will share my favorite resources on social media. I used these to learn how to respond to all the needs of my mama. These sites helped me to feel sane, understood, and more educated on Dementia.
I don’t receive any compensation, and I don’t know these people besides their posts and videos. I may not agree with all their philosophies or beliefs, but hope they provide some helpful insight to you, as they helped me. ❤️

04/16/2026

I’ve heard many people wonder if dementia causes you to lose your faith. In my mom‘s case that has not been true. My mom has maintained her strong, faith, and prayer life, even with dementia. When I pray with her, she will make her cross she remembers worship songs, and her spirit is alive when she listens to liturgy. We have Greek liturgy playing in the background for her at night when she sleeps. Sometimes we have worship music playing all day long. My mom has been a great example of a Godly woman, with her kindness and sweet spirit. Today, we found her praying like this in her bed. A while later our good family friend Shawna Kokkinos came to visit us from California.

03/30/2026

For the last few months my mom has had a more difficult time getting up and walking. Her legs hurt, and are often swollen. Her doctor suggested physical therapy, but mama ignored the PT tech and pretended to sleep.

Four weeks ago my mom fainted and fell to the floor. She bruised both legs, and could no longer stand up. Since then she’s been on hospice, isn’t eating or drinking much, and is declining slowly. I’m learning about the end of life protocols because my brain needs every bit of information to process this stage:
1. Her brain is slowly shutting down so this will affect her body temp, circulation and appetite. We keep her room cool, because she pulls the covers off. She has a sheet and very light blanket.
2. She talks to spirits that we can’t see. My dad Nick, her sister Helen, her mom, dad and others. She talks to them in her sleep and while she’s awake. It sounds weird, but it’s very common.
3. She only eats 2 bites of her favorite foods except for ice cream. She will eat the whole popsicle. Previously she ate throughout the day, 3 meals with lots of fruit.
4. We have to move her body around daily so she doesn’t get sores or pressure points. Skin is an organ and is will break down quickly.
I don’t know when God will take her, but that is another part of this journey where I’m trusting God. We are taking each day as it comes, loving her, reading to her, making sure she’s comfortable and that she knows how much she is loved.

03/22/2026

I couldn’t provide the best care for my mom without this team! Three years ago I decided to hire my own home health aides to take better care of my mom. We’ve had some come and go, some found better jobs, but some stayed and became family. No one understands more about dementia, caring for seniors, and the best ways to provide help for my mom. I’ve learned so much from these ladies! They show me every day how to make sure my mom lacks nothing. She’s happy and comfortable. Each of them treat my mom with love, and respect as if she was their mama.
I’ve used 3 home health services that I wasn’t happy with. There was a lot of turnover which was hard for me and my mom. We kept getting new aides with no experience that I had to train on what my mom likes. The service was a moneymaker for the owners, and the aides weren’t paid very well. I chose to hire my own employees through care.com and I haven’t regretted it. My mom has a routine, consistent care, and I have better communication when I’m at work all day.
Akeisha and Cheryl help me physically and emotionally every day! They are my support group, my respite care, and my trusted helpers that navigate me through this difficult journey of caring for mama! ❤️

03/17/2026