FOR Christmas in 2005, Diana Fayle’s mother Jan Riley drove herself to Warranwood to celebrate with her family.
“But by 2006, she didn’t even know what the telephone was or how to use it,” Ms Fayle said.
Mrs Riley, 69, had dementia – and the illness progressed quickly.
“Mum first started showing signs of memory loss in 2004, but by 2006 we knew there was something wrong,” she said.
A piano teacher for more than 40 years, Mrs Riley’s students began calling Ms Fayle about strange things that were happening during lessons.
The family first put in programs such as home help to keep Mrs Riley at home, but it was soon apparent she needed more care.
“She got to the point where she didn’t know the difference between day and night,” Ms Fayle said.
With a new baby herself, Ms Fayle said it was difficult finding the right home for her mother.
“We wanted to do what was right and best for her, and that meant making difficult decisions,” she said.
“Finding the right nursing home was paramount.”
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Remembering dementia's toll in Warranwood
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