Sheryl Johnson expected to be the one caring for her father, Garry, when he was diagnosed with dementia in 2022. She had experience as a caregiver, having taken care of her ailing mother and supported her husband’s parents after his father developed dementia as well. She and her husband even shared property with Garry when he first showed symptoms back in 2019.
What she didn’t expect was to become estranged from him.
“I don’t like that word, ‘estranged’,” Sheryl says. “It makes me sad. I always felt like my dad was my protector – my safe place.”
Sheryl Johnson is being honoured at the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s biggest fundraiser, the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s, presented by Go Auto, in Nelson on Sunday, May 25. By sharing their stories, honourees put a face and voice to dementia, breaking down stigma and inspiring change. You can walk in honour of your community’s honouree or in support of someone in your life who has been affected by dementia. Funds raised help the organization deliver vital programs and services and enable critical research to change the future of the disease.
Garry enjoyed living with his daughter and son-in-law on their property in Nelson, but as concerns about his memory persisted and wanting more socialization, they decided it was time for him to move to an assisted living facility. Garry settled into his new home with ease and his family was happy he had more opportunities to connect with fellow residents. He lived in the home for six months, but as his symptoms progressed, they recognized the need for greater support from health-care professionals, so Garry moved again. It wasn’t long after his second move that Garry’s relationship with his daughter began to change.
“We fell into a pattern where I’d visit him, we’d have a nice visit and then he’d talk to a friend who seemed to twist his experience into a negative one,” Sheryl says. “He routinely called me three or four days after and accuse me of saying or doing things I didn’t do.”
Having first connected with the Alzheimer Society of B.C. while her father-in-law was living with Alzheimer’s disease, Sheryl started attending support groups again when she found herself stuck in this new and challenging situation with her father. With help from the support group and health care professionals, she found the strength she needed to take a step back from caring for her father so she could care for herself.
“It was hard to let go of what I thought life would look like after my father moved in to assisted living,” Sheryl says. “I had it all planned out – he’d come to our house for dinner, I’d visit him and drive him to appointments. It was devastating when that plan fell apart.”
“People like Sheryl Johnson deserve to have access to meaningful dementia support that meets their needs, which is why Go Auto is so thrilled to be continuing to be provincial presenting sponsor for the Walk,” says Michael Hladun, Senior Vice President for Go Auto. “It’s incredibly important for people across the province to understand the impact that dementia has on their communities – but also, how they can help.”
To help make a difference in the lives of people like Sheryl Johnson on the dementia journey in your community, visit WalkForAlzheimers.ca.
If you are affected by dementia, the Alzheimer Society of B.C. can help. Call the First Link® Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033 or visit alzheimerbc.org.