Muskie found out her mother had Alzheimer’s disease after her mother rang her and told her she had received an MRI scan, which showed her mother’s brain had shrunk. Despite the diagnosis, her mother was positive and anticipated that she would need to attend the memory clinic at the local hospital. However, following her diagnosis, she was not contacted again by her GP. As the years passed, Muskie started to notice differences, such as weight loss and issues with her memory. One day, she rang Muskie and told her she ‘can’t cope,’ so Muskie stepped in, gave her mother the money she needed, began visiting a couple of weekends, and would prepare meals for her mother.

Over the years, Muskie’s mother had numerous falls that required medical attention. Muskie adapted her mother’s home to help make it more accessible for her mother and so Muskie could still look out for her when she was not there. Muskie had her mother’s house fitted with a new bathroom with a walk-in shower, got her a microwave she could use independently, and set up cameras that would allow them to speak to one another. She also did research into treatments and devices that would improve her mother’s care. Muskie’s mother’s consultant advised her to get Power of Attorney. Muskie visited a solicitor, and her mother granted her Power of Attorney. They also made legal arrangements just in case Muskie became incapacitated.