Traces of Us

Alzheimer’s slowly robs individuals of their memory, their interests, and ultimately their lives. The illness takes its toll, not just on those who are diagnosed with the disease, but on their partners, family, and friends—the caregivers. As my wife’s primary caregiver, I am often asked, ‘how are YOU doing?’ I respond with ‘I’m fine,’ but in truth, I am not always fine.

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According to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, ‘45% of care partners providing care to people living with dementia exhibit symptoms of distress.’ The society forecasts that the number of caregivers in the country will grow to one million by 2050.

 

I wanted to use this project and my relationship with my wife to explore the wide range of emotions that a caregiver-partner experiences and to give evidence of what living side-by-side with Alzheimer’s truly feels like. Despite great personal discomfort and reluctance in doing so, I turned the camera towards myself.

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