an account of a woman’s drifting into Dementia, in her own words written on scraps of paper –
often palimpsests - to her dead sister and unacknowledged, mostly-absent son, who has presented them uncensored, with notes and explanations.

RECOMMENDED BY THE ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA SOCIETY (U.K.)

 

‘Some bloody woman has arrived to "clean"!’

‘Dear ??? – I have arisen!! I wonder why the house doesn’t seem to be ours any more. Too many strangers. I’m in bed. Come up and talk to me a little, over a cuppa. I shall stay in bed until the house clears a little. I don’t feel sociable. (over)

‘I don’t remember Christmas at all! Did I hang up my sock ?
Why wasn’t I in Cyprus. The people there are so different and make you feel at home. I’m just an obstruction here. Not even a civil word.

A: - Came down for a little tea:
regarded as an interloper.’
 
‘Can’t find door. Forget what I’m looking for! Have lost a door – see below.’
 
‘I could do with a little wine.
….I’m not sure if I’m alive or not…’
 
‘No hot-water bottles. I bought TWO new ones recently…’

‘Where are the hot water bottles ? They’re always going missing….I wish I was in Cyprus where I’d be warm.
I filled a kettle for my hot-water bottle but I can’t find it…’

‘Search your beds diligently, and your rooms. I’ve bought enough hot-water bottles to keep a whole family for the winter.

Later: Found it. I have filled it and gone back to bed. Ate a sultana bun.’

‘I am a bit out of the world. I seem to have mislaid a slipper…..there is a hot water bottle shortage again!!!’

‘Can’t find the bread-knife. There’s a bottle of wine in the fridge.
I think I’ll stay in bed until Christmas.’

‘G:- Have gone for a walk. I think.
Shouldn’t be long.’

‘It’s a funny old world. Am I really in it ?’

‘The kettle is in the bathroom. I seem to have mislaid my hot-water bottle.’

‘Open some wine for me, dear. And let’s celebrate . What ? Easter, perhaps. Or Christmas. Will I be warm by then ?’ The "home help" is deadly.’
 
‘Some wine for you, dear. I’ve gone back to bed. I think my blood is beginning to freeze..is there a cure ?’

‘I think that my "brain" is frozen …Don't attempt to waken me in the morn. I may be in the Other World - but will it be warm ?..........................................................’

 

Martha, 1998

 

VISITING MARTHA IN THE SPECIAL UNIT:

I didn't think you'd know anyone in a place like this.

No-one has escaped and there have been no beatings-up that I'm aware of.

What will you do if I starve to death ?

My two legs belong together but they seem to have forgotten it.

This place is dreadful. The sun never shines. How did you know to find me here ?

I think the nearest town must be Limassol.....

One day they'll be taking me away from here to a loony bin... I don't think I'm quite All There.

Maybe I'll run away.

I don't know if I'm dead or not.

I remember when this place was just a swamp.
I don't think I'll get out of here alive.

What is the road at the end of the drive ?

VISITING MARTHA IN HOSPITAL:

I want to cry...
I want to cry.
You're so healthy, and I'm soon going to die.

 

Martha, 1976, at prehistoric Portal Tomb "The Labby" , County Sligo, Ireland

for more Irish stones and megaliths, click on this arrow

and at a French megalithic tomb (Baugé, Maine-et-Loire) in 1978

for more megalithic French photos click on this arrow