Caring … St Albans resident Dorothy Petkoff has given up her job to care for her father Petko. 65938 Picture: SARAH MATRAY
By Belinda Nolan
PETKO Petkoff knows how to shave but sometimes forgets to shave both sides of his face.
The St Albans resident was diagnosed with dementia seven years ago and has lost the ability to do many things others take for granted.
The 77-year-old has spent the past five years in the care of his loving daughter Dorothy.
Ms Petkoff has given up a full-time career to care for her father but insists the sacrifice was well worth it.
“People say that I’ve given up so much, I’ve put my career on hold but I can’t emphasise enough that my family comes first,” she said.
“I could never dump my father in a nursing home because it would be against his wishes.
“When a child gets sick you don’t get outside bodies to care for them, you do it yourself and that’s the way I feel about my parents.”
Although his health has deteriorated over the past five years, Mr Petkoff’s symptoms can vary from day to day.
Although he is able to bathe himself, he has to be reminded to have a bath.
He has trouble dressing himself but can do up his own buttons.
Sadly, like many patients with memory loss, Mr Petkoff has lost interest in many of the activities he used to enjoy.
But with the help of his daughter and the support of others in his situation, Mr Petkoff can still lead an active life.
He attends a Macedonian Community Dementia group once a week, participating in group crafts and activities that brighten his day.
“It gives him an opportunity to get out of the house and to speak to others who speak the same language and have the same condition,” Ms Petkoff said.
“It helps him to be more alert and he’s always more responsive after the sessions.”
Alzheimer’s Australia Vic is launching a pilot program to help Macedonian and Vietnamese sufferers living in the Brimbank area.
The Memory Lane Café program will allow residents experiencing memory loss to meet others, share experiences and support one another during a monthly afternoon tea.
The cafes will be held at the Glengala Community Centre and the Holy Apostles Anglican Church in Sunshine.
The first sessions will be held on 28 and 29 July.
For more information call Rosie on 9816 5779.
