I've been back in home state since 2007. My move was so quick that I didn't have time to look for a place of my own. I moved into my mother's home. This was good for 2 reasons: I could save $$ for a place of my own, and my mom could use the help. You see, my cousin also lives with my mom, oh and my mom has Parkinson's.
Since I've been back home, my cousin's health has severely declined. He was diagnosed with drug-induced dementia earlier this year. I would say that over the past 18 months my mom and I have noticed a decline in various mental abilities regarding my cousin, but we couldn't understand why. Well, the diagnosis came back in March and light-bulbs went off for us. That is why he did x, y, or z; or didn't understand this, that & the other. I tell ya, we (mom, brother, sister-in-law, and others) have been extremely puzzled by his behavior. It was all explained with the knowledge that it is dementia.
I've said this in this space and others that I am ever so grateful that I've never had the desire to take a mind-altering drug. The damage that my cousin has done to himself is really tragic and sad. He is so very confused. I could write paragraphs about his confusion, but I'll spare you. Just know that his brain capacity is basically mush. That commercial about
this is your brain, this is your brain on drugs showing the scrambled egg - it is true!
Since my cousin could not do a lot of stuff, it fell to my mom or me. So my being there has been a huge help. However, the stress from dealing with my cousin is not good for my mom. Stress aggravates the disease that she has, and dealing with a person with dementia is quite stressful at times.
We knew that at some point my cousin was going to have to placed in a facility that could care for him in such a manner that we could not. Well, that time has come. We didn't expect for it come so fast, but it has. He is actually moving tomorrow. As expected, my cousin is none to happy with this development. He doesn't see all of the troubles that he causes. In actuality, he thinks everything is normal. Believe you me, nothing is normal.
I have no idea of how this will occur tomorrow. I think he is in denial about this taking place. While this has been difficult on my mom, making this decision. It is what has to happen. She is thinking about her own health as well. Making this decision has been really difficult, but needed.