Love, Loss, and Living with Dementia: John and Heather’s Story
- NWN Staff
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
John van Gurp still remembers noticing Heather for the first time in high school in 1979. They were 17. They went on to spend more than four decades together — building a family, travelling the world, and sharing a life full of love and laughter.
In the spring of 2021, John began to sense something wasn’t right. Wanting to better understand what was happening and to document the changes he was seeing, he started recording short videos of Heather to share with doctors. Those videos soon became a YouTube journal — a space where John shared the fears, challenges, and moments of connection that came with their journey.
In October 2021, Heather was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia, a form of dementia that affects language and communication. Over time, her symptoms progressed from memory loss and confusion to the loss of speech and increasing physical challenges.
For four years, John cared for Heather at home. When her needs grew beyond what he could manage alone, he made what he describes as the hardest decision of his life. Heather is now part of the Northwood community, and John continues to visit her every day — making her laugh, holding her hand, and surrounding her with love.
“I try to make her laugh and show her love,” John says. “It’s very sad, it’s hard, it’s painful. It is what it is. I just have to accept it.”
January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month in Canada — a time to recognize the thousands of individuals and families living with dementia, and to build greater understanding around a disease that affects every part of a person’s life. In Nova Scotia alone, approximately 16,000 people are living with dementia, and that number continues to grow.
At Northwood, we are honoured to walk alongside individuals and families navigating this journey. John and Heather’s story is a powerful reminder that behind every diagnosis is a lifetime of love — and a continuing need for compassion, patience, and community.
Watch the CTV News feature below to hear more from John about Heather, their life together, and the journey they continue to share:
John's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnvanGurp