‘I remember just driving around the neighbourhood, relentless, looking for Mum. This would’ve been seven or eight hours and by this stage; I was in tears. I’m just thinking, “Where could she be? Please, God, be with her.”’
Where do you find hope when an illness like dementia changes the relationship you have with your parents? Hear Matt’s story as he shares the struggles and challenges of being the child of ageing parents.
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Key takeaways from this episode
Caring for ageing parents brings emotional and practical challenges.
Matt grew up in a loving Christian home, but watching his parents decline with dementia and Parkinson’s has been confronting and heart-wrenching.Early signs of illness often go unnoticed.
Subtle memory issues and physical slowdowns were initially easy to dismiss—until a serious incident made the reality unavoidable.The day his mum disappeared was terrifying.
After hours of searching and fearing the worst, Matt’s mum was thankfully found safe—but the incident marked a clear turning point in her care needs.Making care decisions is painful but necessary.
Moving his mum into a dementia ward meant separating his parents—but it ultimately brought safety, relief, and improved quality of life for both.Music continues to be a source of connection.
Despite dementia, Matt’s mum can still play piano and sing hymns—a powerful reminder that joy and identity remain even as memory fades.Faith and family routines bring hope and meaning.
Sharing music, hymns, and moments together helps Matt honour who his parents were—and still are—amid the decline, grounding him in love and grace.
Episode transcript
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Related booklet
Inside this booklet people share their stories about living with dementia.
