Changing the future: Geri Hinton

January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month – and, as we start a new year, it’s a great time to think about what we want the future to look like for people living with dementia, for caregivers – and ultimately for everyone! With people living with dementia and their caregivers facing more social isolation than ever in an increasingly uncertain world, we’re doubling down our efforts to change the future for British Columbians affected by dementia. This year, people across the province are sharing their experiences and hopes for the future – people like Geri Hinton of Victoria, who has devoted herself to advocating for people living with dementia because of her experiences as a caregiver for her husband Peter and her time as Director for the Province of B.C.’s Office for Seniors, which would later evolve into the Office of the Seniors Advocate.

A naval officer who first enlisted in 1940 – going on to be one of the youngest Canadians to command a landing craft on D-Day and Base Commander in both Halifax and Victoria before retiring – Peter lived on the water whether he was working or not – and it was on the water that he and Geri realized he had a serious problem.

“We were in the middle of the ocean,” Geri says. “I was at the wheel and could hear him banging around in the cabin. I asked if he was looking for something and he said he couldn’t find the depth sounder – a piece of equipment that can’t move, one that was right in front of me. That’s when I knew something was wrong.” It wasn’t the first indication of a problem, but it was the biggest, and it was still a shock.

Because of her role in the Office for Seniors, Geri knew where to get started, and connected with the Alzheimer Society of B.C. Peter joined a support group for people in the early stages of dementia. Most of the support group members were men, and Geri ended up building a support group of her own, with other spouses.

Initially, Geri continued to work, making Peter a lunch and leaving it the fridge – until one day, she came home and realized he was forgetting to eat. She retired shortly after that, intent on keeping him at home for as long as possible.

Peter was able to remain at home for five years after Geri retired, until a fall down the stairs resulted in the need for him to move into a care home. “The doctor told me he wouldn’t be able to come home,” Geri says. Peter’s transition to long-term care proved to be one of the most difficult parts of the journey, but Geri made it her mission to remain a constant support for Peter. She visited the care home every day, staying from lunch until bedtime. In the process, she also became familiar with the other residents and learned more about the disease from their experiences as well. “Every person’s journey is so unique to them,” she says.

People currently caring for someone living with dementia in long-term care are having a very different experience right now. Many caregivers like Geri can’t see their person because they aren’t able to get essential visitor status. “I don’t know what we would have done – not being able to see each other – if Peter was in care now,” Geri says.

Since Peter’s death in 2008, Geri has become a fierce advocate for people on the dementia journey. “I’m not sure what pushed me. This is something that’s been with me even before Peter got the disease. People fear it more than anything else when they get old. We revere our ability to think, act, be in the social norm of life in our older years, and we fear losing our memories and abilities.”

Geri doesn’t fear dementia, but her journey with Peter has highlighted for her that it’s important that people who are living with the disease have compassionate, appropriate care. “I learned from Peter that the best way to keep him happy, calm, functioning was to live his life. We did everything together after he was diagnosed, we did everything he did before – sailing, theatre, visiting with people. Even if they change, make sure that you stay the same.”

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Learn more about the experiences of British Columbians affected by dementia and help us change the conversation – and the future! – for families on the journey.