“Don’t You Remember?”

“Don’t you remember?” They are three common words. Yet, when spoken too often, they’re cause for alarm. When your loved ones begin their journey into dementia, your own life-altering pilgrimage is set in motion. The path holds countless challenges including grief, despair, and joy: often all in a single day. The fear of not knowing what to do first can be overwhelming. For me, being proactive instead of reactive was empowering. Through these podcasts, I hope to give you tools in the form of resources and shared experiences, so you realize you’re not alone. I’m Theba. For the past 25 years, I have worked in TV News. I’m also the daughter of parents who lived in two different states, Illinois and Arkansas, when each were diagnosed with dementia in the same year. I entered into a season of intense anxiety and helplessness. I’d seen a few movies about older adults having memory problems and the sadness and difficulties their families faced, but I felt far removed from that reality. In my family cancer and old age claimed my relatives. The word dementia was new to me until an aggressive form of the disease took my father. Today I am the sole caregiver for my mother who is living with Alzheimer’s. Though very difficult, the struggles of caring for parents with dementia have also revealed great joy! I started sharing my experiences on television during the pandemic of 2020. In my heart, I knew there were many just like me trying to understand and adapt to caring for a loved one. The people I’ve met along the way have offered life-changing advice and support. My mission now is to encourage you on your own journey. I know God has been my strength and hope along the way and has led me to this new season of sharing so that you too can find comfort from those who do remember.