Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells and her father, NSW

Loving someone with dementia is hard. I should know. My father suffers from dementia.

Dad has been luckier than some. He has had the love and support of my mother for almost 80 years, since they were at school together. It has been hard for him but perhaps harder for her. However she learnt the ways to make things easier for him.

Since retiring, dad walked a lot, including trips to the local shops to get provisions for mum. The shops are close to their home. Despite his dementia, mum would make sure he had the correct money and a note in his pocket for the bread, milk or whatever he was buying. The local shop keepers knew him and helped fill his bag as required.

Towards the latter part, he occasionally forgot where he was. Mum and dad have lived in their home for over 50 years and are very well known. Every so often when this happened, some kind person who recognised dad would walk him home.

There were times when mum would need to go to the doctor so dad would help her. Given the doctor was located a short distance away it meant they were able to walk down together. They strived as long as they could to maintain a degree of independence.

Prior to going into respite and then full time care, dad also went to a multicultural day-care service. It was a great way for dad to interact and see people with whom he had a shared past.

Dad still goes to day care with an Italian specific group once a week. He waits eagerly for the bus to collect him. He recognises the driver, another old friend of our family. He has a great day meeting old friends and most especially, enjoys the plate of pasta!

Senator the Honourable Concetta Fierravanti-Wells
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Services
Senator for NSW