It started slow. With a TV remote, actually. I had one with the big buttons so I could see through my cataracts and macular degeneration.

My daughter explained the buttons as my granddaughter looked on. Moments later, I caught my granddaughter smiling at me – almost giggling. I had asked if I had a remote. I remember thinking that was odd.

I’m glad we were prepared. We saw the signs. We never got to the stage of panic or distress. I love my children more than life, and I was relieved to see that they were taking it…as well as they could.

And honestly, the reason my Alzheimer’s has gone okay is that we opted for in-home Alzheimer’s care. Gosh, moving would’ve spun my world around even more.

We have a caregiver come to my home every weekday to help me feel safe. They help me around the house and keep me engaged with pleasant conversation. My caregiver is a nice girl who’s working her way to earning her LPN. I like that she applies her training through HCAN and school to help me feel my best.

It’s comforting to witness someone with budding dreams. It helps me remember that everything will be okay.

The ease my children feel because of my caregiver is irreplaceable. I know how much they love me, so I had to do what was right for them. They never had to enter a caregiver role. They’ll always be my babies.