In the fifth episode of her heartfelt audio series for The Joy Club, Abbe Martin continues her father’s Alzheimer’s journey, exploring the challenging but ultimately rewarding transition of bringing her dad back home. The episode begins in the aftermath of a disappointing care home experience, where broken promises and deteriorating conditions left the family desperate for a better solution.
Abbe shares the emotional turmoil of moving her father out of the care home, the family’s collective guilt and the difficult search for a suitable alternative. In a stroke of luck, they find Wilson – a compassionate and lively carer who becomes a beloved part of the family. With Wilson’s help, they transform her father’s flat into a safe and welcoming space, allowing him to return home where he can be surrounded by love and familiarity.
As Abbe reflects on those precious months, she recounts the joy of being able to spend quality time with her father again. Through car rides to scenic spots, shared meals and endless laughter, the family reconnects with the man they love, finding peace and stability in a challenging time.
Amidst this return to normalcy, Abbe also shares the momentous news of her pregnancy, a revelation that brought new excitement and hope to the family. In tender detail, she describes how they shared the news with her father, whose joy, although fleeting, added to the many moments of connection that defined this chapter of their lives.
Join Abbe as she celebrates the triumph of bringing her father home, the bonds formed with Wilson and the new life on the horizon, all against the backdrop of Alzheimer’s and the strength of family love.
You can listen to previous episodes here: