Kris McCabe was working as a bartender in Chicago when she learned that her grandmother Mary’s Alzheimer’s was progressing faster than expected. She didn’t think twice: she quit her job, took her out of the state-run residence where she lived, and became her full-time caregiver.
@lifewithgrams Lots of controversy between sharing people on social media living with dementia, and I understand since not everyone has the best intentions but I also notice the complete lack of understanding when it comes to these diseases. This page has always focused on person centered care, remembering who my grandma is, was and will always be. I try to honor that every step of the way. She may have dementia but she is so much more than that and the goal has always been to give her the life she would want to live. If my grandma didn’t have Alzheimer’s, this page would more than likely still exist because it’s who we are. We hope to inspire people to find the love and joy in every day, even amongst some of the most heartbreaking things you’ll ever experience. We want to show people that those living with these diseases can be capable of so much more than they are given credit for & break some of the stigma surrounding dementia care. Everyone has their opinions, but it’s obvious to me my Grandma enjoys what we’re doing and is grateful and proud of the lives we’ve touched and helped along the way. #Caregiver #Dementia #Grandma #Alzheimers #Love ♬ Rein Me In – Sam Fender & Olivia Dean
That was in 2016. Today, nine years later, Mary is 88 years old and still spends every day with her granddaughter, who documents that daily life—filled with laughter, care, and small moments—on the Life With Grams account.
What began as a difficult decision turned into a community of nearly 755 thousand people on Instagram and TikTok, who closely follow the relationship between the two. A granddaughter who chose to stay, and a grandmother who never stopped feeling supported. 🥹💛