Grandma with Dementia Makes New Friend at Nursing Home. Family Looks Down at Her Hand, Sees Friend Holding It
There is something to be said for making new friends. Old or young, we all need someone to keep us company.
Some friendships are seasonal, while others last a lifetime. No matter the circumstance, we need others to support us and walk with us, especially during tough times.
I’ve noticed with every year that passes, I need true companionship more than ever. Perhaps it’s because the older I get, the more people I lose.
Loss is inevitable, but loss does not have to equal loneliness. It’s easy to forget that there are those who have reached a season in their lives when most everyone they ever knew has passed on.
And what about those who suffer from dementia? I can only imagine how frightening and confusing it would be to feel alone and forgetful, to live in a place that’s not your home.
I am sure I’m not alone when I say I’ve worried about my parents as they age. I’m thankful to be around for them, and even more grateful my kids have the chance to know them.
One granddaughter tweeted a now-viral photo of her sweet, dementia-ridden grandmother.
It must have been an emotional day as Lillie took her “nan” to a nursing home that cares for dementia patients.
I have no idea if Lillie is an only grandchild, or if she’s the only one around who can care for her “nan.”
What I do know is that it’s never easy to turn over a loved one into the hands of others, however necessary the task may be.
Thankfully, what Lillie found waiting for her grandmother that day ended up being truly remarkable. A woman who shares the same name and walks the same journey as Lillie’s grandma Gladys, sat beside the woman and became her instant friend.
“Don’t worry, you’ve got me now,” the other Gladys assured her on April 15. Lillie didn’t mention if her grandma responded, but I think the picture says everything we need to know.
The image of the two elderly women holding hands speaks volumes. It just goes to show you’re never too old to reach out, take someone by the hand, and offer comfort when it’s needed most.
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