Nadine, I am so sorry for the turmoil of your life.  You are very young to having to handle such a thing as dementia in one of your parents.  I have just turned 59 and have been diagnosed with the same thing.  Right now, I am on Aricept which has helped tremendously with my memory and attention span.  I have my good days and my bad, just as your dad will, too.  I have a deep faith in God and have not turned away from that.

It is scary to think about what the future holds.  Live each day ONE DAY AT A TIME.  Find and hold onto each precious moment of normalcy and joy that you can.  You will be instrumental in helping your mom get through this.  The two of you will probably become closer.  It is important that you not lose sense of your own identity.  Your life must go on with as much normalcy as you can muster.  There will be days where you will need all the strength you can get.  Other days you will need to step back to take a breather from all that is happening.  I may be able to help you understand what your father is going through.  I'll be glad to help in any way I can.  In the meantime, I will add you, your dad and mum into my prayers.

LJ