Dementia…WTF??
Yeah, we’ve said it too. We’re sorry you’re here, but we’re glad you found us. The GEMS are here to walk this road with you.
Dementia is hard. Let’s talk about the WTF moments with love, laughter, and a little wisdom.
Welcome to Dementia WTF!?
Because sometimes, you just have to laugh.
Dementia is messy—it’s heartbreaking one minute, hilarious the next (usually both before lunch). We created Dementia WTF for anyone who needs a place to laugh, cry, and say WTF without apology.
Here you’ll find:
Real talk from caregivers who’ve been there
Humor (the coping kind)
A community that actually gets it
Come as you are, bring your stories (and maybe a cocktail 🍸), and leave feeling lighter. You’ve found your people.
Real WTF Moments
Because dementia is too wild to go through alone. These are the stories that make us laugh, cry, and pour another cocktail.
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I walked into my mom’s room tonight ready to give her a shower—and immediately hit a wall of… funk. Like, eye-watering, nasal-offending, “what even IS that?” funk. I start doing the sniff test. You know the one: the cautious inhale as you scan the perimeter like a human bloodhound. Everything looked normal. Too normal. Which, of course, means something is very, very wrong. Eventually, I spotted the trash bin that seemed… suspicious. It had been lovingly tucked in with a cozy throw blanket like it was about to settle in for a nap. That’s when I knew—my mom had tried to cover up a pile of poop like it was a surprise party gone wrong. Tissue delicately placed on top like a bow. Blanket draped with intention. I almost applauded the staging. If it wasn’t so hilariously awful, I might’ve cried. Instead, I laughed—because what else can you do? These are the moments no one warns you about in caregiving. There’s no Hallmark card that says, “Thanks for scrubbing poop off a garbage can today. You’re doing amazing.”
If you’ve had a WTF moment this week—whether it involved poop, misplaced dentures, or a spontaneous dance party in the shower (been there too)—just know: you’re not alone. You’re in good company. The weirdest, bravest, and sometimes most exhausted club on Earth. Live like a mayfly. Laugh anyway. We’re with you. And please share your latest WTF moment. We want to hear from you!
Mayfly Moment: If you only had 24 hours… how would you respond to life’s messes? Could you laugh? Could you let go of the shame? Could you find a little sacred in the absurd?
Soundtrack for Survival: Because sometimes caregiving is messy as hell — and it’s about damn time you danced through it instead of crying about it.
“About Damn Time” – Lizzo
We’ve got plenty more WTFs where that came from. Read more stories or pour a drink and share your own.
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Today’s text message from Legacy was a fun little jolt of real-life absurdity: “Deidra is very agitated… refused her melatonin… soaked before dinner and wouldn’t let your dad put on a brief, so… nothing under the pants.”
It’s one of those days. Where dignity and defiance are doing the two step, and your heart breaks a little watching the one you love navigate the blurry edges of themselves.
But here’s the thing: even when she’s refusing care, even when she’s going commando at the memory care unit, she is still teaching me something about presence. About having a sense of control and why that’s important. About how this disease slowly takes away mom I used to know and how I’m going to keep showing up anyway.
I grabbed my keys and headed over. Luckily it’s a short drive! I love her so much I was happy to do it regardless of the shit storm of a week I was having. I didn’t know what I’d find—chaos? resistance? a naked hallway protest?
Instead… I found a dance party.
I kid you not, moments before I was able to get Deidra in the shower, she busted out some serious moves. We were cracking up. Her body, so often weary, decided to shimmy like we were backstage at Dancing with the Stars: Memory Lane Edition.
And after the shower? We curled up next to her in her bed, tucked in like a little moonbeam, breathing soft and slow. Her face looked like the lady she used to be, before dementia started scribbling over her story.
Today was chaotic. And hilarious. And holy. And I wouldn’t trade a single WTF moment of it. That is the Mayfly Way.
Mayfly Moment: If you only had 24 hours, would you still show up for the messiest version of someone you love?
Soundtrack for Survival: “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” by the Rolling Stones…
But sometimes? You get exactly what you need: a dance, a laugh, and a quiet moment in the darkbeside your mother.
Join Us Live for Stories & Sips
Once a month, we grab a cocktail and hop on Zoom with our community to swap WTF moments, laugh through the chaos, and remind each other we’re not alone. It’s real talk, real connection, and always a good time.
24 Ways to Live Fully Today!
Even in the Middle of WTF Moments
Life with dementia doesn’t come with a manual, but we’ve pulled together 24 little ways to find joy, keep your sanity, and sparkle anyway. Think of it as a survival kit with heart and humor.
Meet the GEMS
GEMS = Girlfriends Empowering through Mentoring & Support. Translation? We’ve seen some sh*t, and we’re still standing (with cocktails in hand).
We’re Cori & Tricia, lifelong besties, daughters, and your new girlfriends in the WTF of dementia caregiving. We built Dementia WTF with humor, heart, and a promise: you don’t have to do this alone.
Your Story Matters Too
Got a WTF moment? We’re all ears (and probably halfway through a margarita). This is your place to laugh, vent, and remember you’re not alone in this chaos.
Join the community for stories, events, and the kind of support only girlfriends can give.