Dementia: The Long Goodbye
Caring for someone with dementia is one of the hardest things I have witnessed. Many carers I meet tell me they have lost time for themselves, while also facing the heartbreak of seeing their loved one slowly change into someone who feels like a stranger.
8/28/2025
Dementia: The Long Goodbye
Caring for a loved one with dementia is one of the hardest journeys anyone can face. Many carers I meet tell me they have little time or space for themselves. Days are full of routines, appointments and responsibilities, and often there is no energy left at the end of the day. It takes so much physically, emotionally and socially.
Sometimes I gently ask carers when was the last time they did something just for themselves. Maybe reading a book they enjoy, or catching up with a friend over coffee. Often there is a pause, or a quiet smile that carries sadness. Over time the caring role can become the centre of life, and it is easy to lose sight of who you are outside of it. Alongside this comes the heartbreak of watching someone you love change, struggling with tasks that once came easily, losing pieces of memory, or at times feeling like the person you love has become a stranger. Some carers describe moments where their partner or parent lashes out, or acts like a child, and it can be painful to recognise someone so familiar and yet so altered.
For the person living with dementia, it is just as frightening. Changes happen day by day and are often hard to make sense of. Routines and independence slip away. There is no cure, and that reality can feel overwhelming.
It is, in many ways, a long goodbye for both the person with dementia and those who love them.
And yet, within this painful process, there can still be moments of connection and meaning. Art therapy is one way of creating space for these moments. For carers it can be a place to breathe, to express feelings that are hard to share elsewhere, and to remember that your wellbeing matters too. For people living with dementia, art making can offer joy, spark memories and provide a way to communicate when words are no longer enough.
Although dementia may feel like the end of the world, there are still ways to make the most of life alongside it. With support and creativity, it is possible to find light within the shadows.
If you are caring for someone with dementia and feel you would like a space for yourself, I would be glad to hear from you.
Let's Talk
If you or someone you care for would like to explore one-to-one art therapy, I offer a free 15-minute chat. This is a chance for us to get to know each other, talk about what you're looking for and see if we’re a good fit. If I’m not the right person for you, I can help you find someone who is.
If you're part of an organisation and would like to explore working together, I’d be happy to arrange a longer conversation to discuss your setting and what kind of support might be helpful.
I’ll reply within 24 hours. You can use the form below or get in touch by email, phone or text.
