Help Lillie and Her Family Get the Dementia Care She Needs

My mother, Lillie Barfield (77), is an amazing woman. To those who have met her, they know she is kind-hearted, selfless, hardworking, and she always puts her family first. Sadly, she has experienced a rapid cognitive decline and has been diagnosed with Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, which has left our family devastated.

At the end of August last year, she went missing for 48 hours and was the subject of a statewide Silver Alert. She left her home without a functioning phone and with no means of contacting her. Our family and friends contacted law enforcement, local media outlets, and anyone else who might be able to help. On the evening of the third day of her disappearance, and after tracking her 800-mile journey with highway license plate readers, the police found her 300 miles from home. She was severely dehydrated and was hospitalized. During that time, we received information about her initial dementia diagnosis. We were able to take her home and care for her for many heartbreaking months. Rapidly, her condition and cognitive decline became more pronounced. After two extended hospital stays, multiple doctor visits, and seemingly endless tests, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in December. Her cognitive abilities have severely declined, and she now requires round-the-clock care. Before her diagnosis and stints in the hospital, she was working on her property, running daily errands, crocheting a blanket for her great-grandson, taking care of her household and four dogs, attending church weekly, and spending time with her family. Now, due to her condition, she grows anxious when away from home for any extended period of time and no longer has the ability to care for herself. With the advice of her doctors, we’ve moved her into a 24-hour assisted living residence.

Coming to terms with this rapid decline has been an incredible challenge for our family; our mother is a very different person than she was just last year. Some days are harder than others; she doesn’t always recognize us and sometimes refers to us by her brothers’ names. It is very hard to see my mother, my first teacher, the woman I could always count on, become so helpless.

Any donated funds will go towards her medical bills and the cost of care at her assisted living facility. We want to acknowledge and show our appreciation to our friends, family, and congregation who have shown support and contributed in any way. Your love and support are felt, and my family cannot express how grateful we are during this time. We are trying our best to reach anyone in our community who may know and love our mother and want to contribute.