Truro Mayor Uses Her Platform to Raise Awareness
It took a trip to the bank with her mother before Cathy Hinton realized what was happening.
“My mother was excellent with money and sharp as a tack, but on this particular day, she accused the bank of stealing from her, and I knew that something was terribly wrong.”
It was then that other recent odd occurrences began to make sense – her mother forgetting details she would have previously remembered, suddenly not being able to work her home thermostat, and putting the TV remote control in the phone charger.
“Sometimes when we’re very close to people, we ignore the little changes that are happening,” says Cathy, “Or maybe we don’t want to see what is really going on.”
Cathy’s mother, Phyllis Hinton, was diagnosed with vascular dementia, and soon after, could no longer live by herself. She was moved to a care facility in Debert, just 30 minutes from her home in Truro, and died in 2023, on the same day that Cathy’s father had died 14 years prior
As an only child, Cathy had always been close to her Mom, and over the two years that Phyllis was in care, Cathy visited regularly, despite her busy schedule.
“My mom was proud that I was working as a Truro Town Councillor, but sadly, she died before she could see me become Truro’s first female mayor. She would have really liked that.
After Phyllis died, Cathy and her son, Adam, were sorting through the family home when they discovered a wonderful surprise: heartfelt notes Phyllis had written, sharing the things she wanted them to know when she was no longer here. We couldn’t have asked for a better daughter, Cathy. I’m so proud of you. And to Adam: We love you like a son.
“It was the hardest thing and also the most precious thing, finding those notes,” says Cathy. “That kind of gratitude and generosity was the essence of who my mother was.”
In fact, Cathy feels she “hit the jackpot” with both of her parents. “They were wonderful neighbours and good citizens, always so warm and welcoming,” she says. “It wouldn’t matter if you had five cents or five million dollars. They treated everyone the same.”
Cathy was raised to be kind and to help other people. That’s why she always ends her monthly mayor address with the same message: Be kind to each other and be kind to our town.
Cathy is committed to using her platform to raise awareness about Alzheimer disease and dementia. “People know me, and hopefully respect and listen to me,” she says.
“My goal is to share words and stories that might enlighten and educate people. I see it as an opportunity to shine a light on what can sometimes feel like a cruel disease.”
One thing that Cathy knows for sure is that a diagnosis can come anytime in any family. “People who knew my mother, and knew how intelligent and strong and feisty she was, just couldn’t believe she’d been diagnosed with dementia,” says Cathy.
“But that’s what I’ve learned – this disease doesn’t play favourites.”
Cathy now encourages other families to take note of what is happening with their loved ones and not be afraid to ask for help.