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Many families who have walked alongside a loved one with memory loss have come across a poem that begins with the words:

 

    If I ever get dementia…

 

The poem is a plea—one rooted in love, humanity, and the desire to be cared for with dignity if memory, personality, or independence begin to change. It expresses something very real:

 

We want to be seen as whole human beings, no matter what stage of life we’re in.

 

At Functional Pharmacy, we serve many families navigating dementia and cognitive decline. And the heart of our work is this:

 

The person is still there.

Even if their words fade, their timeline shifts, their memories blur, or their behaviors change—
their essence remains.

 

The poem reminds us of that truth.

 

 

The Meaning Behind the Poem

 

When someone says, “If I ever get dementia…” they are really saying:

• Let me still be surrounded by warmth.
• Let me be included in life, not tucked away.
• Let me feel safe.
• Let me be spoken to with kindness, not correction.
• Let me enjoy simple pleasures—sunshine, music, fresh air, touch, laughter.
• Let me be loved even if I cannot explain how I love you back.

 

And perhaps most importantly:

 

“Please remember me—even when I cannot remember myself.”

 

This is not a poem about sadness.
It is a poem about relationship.

 

 

What It Means for Caregivers

 

If you are caring for someone with dementia, you already know:
This is not easy work.

 

It asks something extraordinary of the heart:

• Patience without expectation
• Presence without needing answers
• Love without condition

 

But the poem reminds us that caregiving is not about perfection.
It is about connection.

 

Even when communication changes, connection remains possible:

• through gentle touch
• through music
• through rhythm and routine
• through scent and sound
• through calm, regulated body language
• through familiar environments
• through slowing down to the pace of the nervous system

 

Sometimes the most therapeutic thing you can do is simply be.

 

Sit.

Breathe.

Hold a hand.

Share quiet.

 

 

How Functional Medicine Supports Dementia Care

 

Functional medicine recognizes that brain health is influenced by the whole system:

 

• sleep
• stress
• inflammation
• movement
• environment
• gut health
• emotional safety
• connection and meaning

 

This means we do not only treat the disease—
we support the person and the family walking through it.

 

Our approach includes:

• Medication and deprescribing evaluation (reducing unnecessary burden when appropriate)
• Lifestyle and nervous system support
• Caregiver coaching to prevent burnout
• Mind-body practices to ease tension and anxiety
• Communication strategies rooted in compassion
• Creating daily rhythms that preserve identity and joy

 

 

The Heart of the Poem Is the Same as the Heart of Our Work

 

Dignity. Connection. Presence. Humanity.

 

We do not try to fix the person.
We support the environment around them so they can feel safe, supported, and seen.

 

Because even when memory shifts—
the need to be loved does not disappear.

 

 

If You Are Walking This Journey, You Do Not Have to Do It Alone

 

Caring for someone with dementia can feel heavy—but partnership can lighten the load.

 

We offer caregiver support, medication guidance, and compassionate coaching to help you create a daily rhythm that works for your family—gentle, sustainable, and rooted in love.

 

Book a free 20-minute discovery call to talk, ask questions, breathe, and feel supported.

 

You deserve support.

Your loved one deserves dignity.
And both are possible—together.