I've been my mom's caregiver for 10 years. I'm running on empty.
A caregiver shares her decade-long experience managing her mother's early-onset dementia while balancing family and work responsibilities. The essay highlights the subtle behavioral shifts that characterize the disease and the emotional toll on family members.
Why it matters
It sheds light on the often-overlooked challenges faced by family caregivers, emphasizing the need for better support systems and diagnostic methods for dementia.
Jessica Chalk has been caring for her mom, who has dementia. Courtesy of Jessica Chalk Jessica Chalk, 34, is from Sydney, and her mom, 73, has had early-onset dementia for 10 years. Jessica manages her mom's many appointments, sleep schedule, and six-monthly driving test. Caring for a new baby and a mom with dementia was the hardest part of her whole life. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jessica Chalk from Sydney. It has been edited for length and clarity. I work with my mom for the business she founded, so I notice any little behavioral changes . The first was 10 years ago, and it was subtle. Mom also taught floristry at a college, and she'd forget her password to get into the classroom. We said this is normal; we all forget passwords, especially as we age.
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