Publish date: 1 October 2026
At first, it was the little things. A forgotten date, blending Russian and Polish in conversation, a loss of balance. But in 2023, a medical diagnosis started to make sense for those nearest and dearest to Tomasz.
Olga's life with Tomasz before Alzheimer’s changed. Both their lives were filled with adventures, travel, and traditions from their shared European history. For the first twenty-five years of their marriage, he had been the family’s breadwinner and she’d taken care of their home.
After Tomasz's diagnosis, she had to take on more responsibility – organising their finances, paying all their bills and all while caring for Tomasz who had become increasingly reliant on her as his care needs changed.
As time went on, Tomasz’s mind slipped and hallucinations were a daily event.
“It’s not him. It’s his body but it’s not his brain. It’s like his mind is absent,” she said.
Tomasz’s care needs increased quickly. To keep him safe, Olga had to keep the doors closed and shut out the world. Olga’s world also closed down.
It wasn’t until Tomasz asked her a simple question that she took a moment to breathe, to stop and reflect:
“Olga, did you brush your hair?”
In 2025, Tomasz moved into Bethanie Beachside Aged Care Home. From that day, they each found more freedom. Olga joins Tomasz for meals every day and the twenty-four hour care he receives now gives Olga a chance to rekindle her own lifelong passion for art.
As an artist, she understands that some distance can offer a new perspective and open up the world again.
The vivid dreams Olga had experienced during her time caring for Tomasz formed a new expression in her life. She reflected back on her time where she was too busy to brush her hair, “I realised, I had been neglecting myself, and I needed to make something.”
Above from Olga’s Instagram: olgaperova9977
Today, Olga is proud of the care she’s able to give her husband. As he once provided for her, she now provides for him. Although Alzheimer’s has changed Tomasz in countless ways, it hasn't changed the love they share. And the dreams she experienced during a difficult time in their lives, serve to inspire the art she has once again returned to.
“Now, I have my life. It’s different, I needed to adjust. But I’ve started to enjoy my life again. I’ve started to see the colours.”
If you would like to find out more about Bethanie Beachside or Aged Care at Bethanie, get in touch with our team on 131 151 today.
