Alzheimer’s is ultimately about the journey and not the destination. It’s about change; the fear and loss that comes with change; learning to simplify; learning the difference between “giving up” and “letting go.” It’s about resilience, trust, respect, and quality of life.

In the very late stages of an illness, the focus should be on quality of life and comfort instead of treatment and length of life. Hospice allows you to be aggressive in pain management and symptom control of your loved one.

Peaceful and comfortable. That is the best there is to offer to someone who is at the end of their journey and ALMOST HOME. Perhaps their expression of wanting and longing to “go home” has been their sense of getting closer to the end of their journey.

Alzheimer’s and other dementias can be long illnesses – long “walks of faith” that are ultimately about walking our loved one home. Some days are brighter than others; some paths bumpier than others. But there is great comfort in having walked another safely home.