Denial and grief walk hand in hand with dementia. They don’t just appear once at diagnosis they resurface with each new change, sometimes in ways as small as a plate left on the counter. These emotions aren’t weakness; they’re love made visible, reminders that something important is shifting. Naming them allows us to keep walking this road with honesty, compassion, and grace.

Moving is stressful for anyone add dementia into the mix, and the impact is immediate and profound. For Doug, even simple directions became overwhelming; for me, patience became my lifeline. This move reminded me why understanding the stage of the disease matters so much: it helps me respond with compassion instead of frustration. In the end, it wasn’t just about changing homes it was about protecting peace of mind for both of us.