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My grandmother suffered from dementia. She passed a year ago (thankfully) but looking back over the past 10 years my parents and I can really see what we thought was her being eccentric and mean, was in reality dementia coming on. It was so gradual we didn't really notice (yea, she'd forget where she put stuff or a word here and there but nothing big) and then one day that changed.
I took the opportunity to fly home after the 2012 Miami show to see her (she had known I was coming before she really slid into the dementia). The first day she recognized me and it was clear she had been holding on until I showed up. However, she couldn't get any words out and you could just see in her eyes how frustrated it made her.
After that she just kind of slid away and was vacant with a few minutes clarity when I went to visit.
It's a horrible, horrible disease and I don't think anyone is really prepared for it. Seek out a support group because I also had to hear about the trials and tribulations from my mother who was the primary caregiver from 3,000 miles away. Nobody should have to do it alone.
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