Millie

In 2000 I met a lady with the most amazing personality. She had Dementia, it seemed to be in a mild form at this particular time, she would walk about the home as if she was on a mission. I would often say to her 'where are you going'? and she would answer 'that way'! Off she would go walking what must have seemed forever, and would collect things along the way. Many a plant pot would go missing or towels and cloths. You could guarantee, that you would eventually find them all around the home or in Millie's room.
It was a hard task to get her to bed, but with her tv on she would settle, until the need to wander once more. Millie had a wonderful family, they would visit on weekends and take her to the visitors room and pour her a little drink of her favourite sherry. Millie would sit there drinking and laughing along with her family.
In the mornings it was an impossible task to get her ready for the day, she would be up and down off her bed, and try to leave her room, by the time anyone dressed her they would be spinning. I remember it well Millie!

One evening Millie was wandering as she always did, and accidently fell and broke her hip, after a long stay in hospital she came back to the home. Sadly Millie was never the same, she could not walk and her dementia had gone up another stage. But alas Millie continued to entertain us and kept us on our toes.
I remember the last week of her life, I went into her room, she was awake and smiling as she always smiled. Her eyes were so blue. I got her up for a break and dressed her all in pink, she looked so pretty. When she arrived in the lounge the other residents were happy to see her. She was smiling and laughing as she had always done, she looked so happy, infact the word I am looking for is angelic. After an hour Millie declined, and had to go back to her room. She fought on for a few more days, and passed away peacefully. She would not have deserved any other way.
We are not get too attached to people or treat them any differently to other residents, this was hard to do and Millie touched so many hearts. You will always be in my memory I will always remember our last day together. Sleep well.


Those days when you were young,
Sharing moments and having fun.
Never a thought about tomorrow,
Or worry about future sorrows.
Wild, happy and carefree,
That's how life was meant to be.

As those times began to fade,
Our lives turned to change.
Some memories have passed from view,
Not of those times we've spent with you.
As Autumn falls and all is golden,
We remember good times that can never be broken.

(C) Holly Anderson 2006