🌿 CHAPTER 3 — What We Did Next

 

My whole life has revolved around solving problems.  But this proved to be an impossible task.​

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We made a video of Jackie talking about her life, and with the family talking about her.  This left  behind an amazing treasure .

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We checked out our wills and powers of attorney - health and finances.  I strongly recommend doing this as they became invaluable in later days

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Ione great idea: we made a memory list of all the things that were important to her, with each memory told in eight words or less.  She talked about things, I added shared memories and her friends added to it.  A great keepsake.

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We talked to the GP who referred us to consultants.  They didn't change anything but we could ask them questions.

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We visited six different close by care homes to make sure I understood what she thought she would like and what she didn't.

 

I searched the internet and spoke to specialists.

 

I learned a big lesson about memory.  If she said she didn't remember some then she DIDN'T remember it and it was pointless, even upsetting, to try to help her to remember.

 

I made mistakes.

We learned as we went.

We did what we could.

 

If you are at this stage I hope you know that there is no right or wrong way forward.  There is just your way.

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Do what’s needed.

Do what’s possible.

Forgive yourself for everything else.

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Next:Chapter 4 - The Long Middle

Previous: Chapter 2 - Telling the Family