Wilma’s story: A new lease of life
Wilma describes how striking up a friendship with Isa at an Alzheimer Scotland Centre gave them both a new lease of life after caring for loved ones with dementia.
“I met Isa about two years ago when she was caring for her husband Jimmy and I was looking after my good friend Jim. It can be quite isolating caring for someone with dementia but we would all regularly go along to Alzheimer Scotland’s Dementia Resource Centre in Kilmarnock where they run different groups and activities every week.
“As Jim’s dementia progressed there weren’t as many places I could take him to. Having the Centre there was a godsend. I can’t emphasise enough what a difference it made to Jim and to me, being able to get out the house, to chat to other people and take part in activities like the music group or coffee catch-up. The staff there are fantastic and everyone is so friendly.
“One of the times I met Isa, I could see she needed a break so I asked if she’d like to come over to mine for a cuppa. We just hit it off and we’ve been great friends ever since. Isa lost Jimmy last year and my friend Jim is now living in a care home, so it’s been a really tough time for us. But we help each other through it.
“Even though we’re on our own now, we still go to the Centre to chat to the other ladies there who are all going through a similar experience to Isa and me. The friendships that Isa and I have made there have meant so much to both of us. It’s given us a new lease of life.
“Isa and I have been on holiday together three times and we’re looking forward to our fourth trip soon. It’s lovely having someone to go away with. We both like different things, but we get on great. Isa might be doing her word search puzzles while I’m reading my book. We’re just content to be in each other’s company.
“We’re both in our seventies now, and live alone, but I think the secret is to just keep yourself busy and keep up those connections with other people. I do volunteering work each week in amongst visiting Jim and going to the Kilmarnock Centre, while Isa has joined a line dancing club and recently went to an Alzheimer Scotland activity afternoon tea with a ukulele band!
“I’d encourage anyone affected by dementia to reach out to Alzheimer Scotland for support, because the new friends you might find there could make the world of difference.”