Our Dementia Journey is a raw and deeply personal account of love, loss, and the quiet realities of caring for someone with dementia.
When Barb is diagnosed with early-onset dementia in her early sixties, life changes in ways neither she nor her husband could have imagined. What begins as subtle memory lapses and confusion gradually becomes a relentless and heartbreaking decline. As her condition worsens, her husband finds himself navigating the unfamiliar and overwhelming role of full-time carer, without training, guidance, or a roadmap.
Through moments of frustration, tenderness, and exhaustion, he shares the reality of what it means to care for a loved one as they slowly disappear. From early warning signs and diagnosis, through the challenges of daily care, to the eventual need for full-time support, this memoir offers an honest and unfiltered look at the emotional, physical, and practical toll of dementia.
But this is also a story of enduring love - of showing up, day after day, even when the person you love no longer recognises you.
Written in a clear and conversational voice, Our Dementia Journey is not only a tribute to Barb’s life, but a valuable companion for anyone walking a similar path. Within these pages, carers will find understanding, reassurance, and the quiet reminder that they are not alone.
Our Dementia Journey - eBook
Jon Russell is a retired professional and devoted husband who spent over a decade caring for his wife, Barb, following her diagnosis with early-onset dementia.
With no formal training and little guidance, he navigated the complex and often overwhelming realities of becoming a full-time carer - learning through experience, resilience, and the support of those around him. His journey took him from the early signs of illness through to full-time care and, ultimately, to the end of Barb’s life.
Our Dementia Journey is a deeply personal account of that experience. Through sharing his story, he hopes to offer comfort, understanding, and practical insight to others facing similar challenges.
He now lives in Far North Queensland, where he remains close to his family and continues to reflect on the lessons, love, and memories that shaped this journey.