A Heartfel Poem on Love and Dementia

I would love you to share this poem that I wrote many years ago. I wrote it on behalf of a wife whose husband had dementia in the Nursing Home.

Silent Thoughts

When I come to see you in the nursing home I hesitate when I arrive at the door.
You're still the same loving person to me;
It's so difficult that you cannot remember me anymore.

We shared the good and bad times all through our married life
To you and me that devotion we had
Was just part of being husband and wife.

Our children now have all grown and gone their separate ways
But the smiles we have seen on our grandchildren's faces
Will remain in our hearts to stay.

I fill your room with photos and memories from our past
And hope sometime while you're alone
These memories to you still last

I sit and talk and hold your hand and hope my feelings get through
That I am the the one you loved and married,
And I am not a stranger to you.

When staff at the Nursing home enter your room, a big smile lights up your face,
This is another change that I have had to accept
It's like your family now has been replaced.

I long for the day when I come into your room, that you could even remember my name
But I know in my heart this may not happen
And I know that you are not to blame.

When I go home alone at night I lay my head to rest
I think over the time we shared today,
And I store in my memory the best

Before I go to sleep at night I whisper a silent prayer,
I am so grateful I don't have to handle this on my own
"Thank God for Aged Care"

By Kerry Towler, Activity officer