ENTRY DESCRIPTION
The old age means loneliness for the old folks. Loving caregivers face similar loneliness.

My 92-year-old grandmother, lost in her own thought, struggling with progressive dementia, did not notice that her leg was amputated. Sometimes only small gaps in her awareness (impulses in her head) told her what the reality was, but they were quickly pass into oblivion too. Almost like her entire life.

Basically every day was the same. Every daily activity was very stressful for Grandma.
Her organism was opposed the bed bath her, spoon-feeding, did not want to take the necessary medications or did not allow you to change the dressings …
Her only caregivers (my parents) every day contend with her suffering and resistance to ensure her what was necessary for survival, whereby she often called them „Satans". They were physically and mentally lonely in this Sisyphean task.

Currently, there is no well-developed elderly care system in Poland. In many cases, retirement and social support does not allow for specialist treatment.
The closest family members often become volunteers, waiting for the inevitable, often without any help and support.

Who can help when you are completely alone?

Grandma died a natural death in June 2020.
The photo was taken in Poland, 11.05.2020.

AUTHOR
Wioletta Sedlak (Letta Sed) graduated Chemistry at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan. In 2012, she began studying Photography at the Warsaw School of Photography and Graphic Design, which gave her the opportunity to express herself through both creative photography, visual art and experimental photography, as well as helped her develop in reportage and documentary photography. In her reportage or documentary photography she always wants to be close to people, get to know their everyday life, their life story, their work or passions.
Sebastiao Salgado's work inspired her and encouraged her to take photography of people in their natural environment: in the place of their work and life.

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