Before I Go: Geelong grandfather Graeme Watson shares life lessons after Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis

Graeme Watson has dedicated his life to serving his community. But now the time has come for others to lend him a hand, after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Death is something we all face and yet it can seem so far away.

But nothing puts life into focus like truly appreciating it will end.

As part of a new series called Before I Go, the Addy’s Chelsea Bunting is speaking to those taking their final steps on the journey, giving them a chance to share their stories and the lessons they have learned.

Graeme Watson has dedicated his life to serving others through the church and as a social worker.

But now the time has come for his community to lend him a hand.

The 76-year-old was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment in 2017, before his condition progressed to Alzheimer’s disease in 2019.

Graeme Watson. Picture: Brad Fleet

Mr Watson worked as a wool classer in the Western District of Victoria for about five years straight out of high school.

He met his wife Joan in May 1970 and they married in August the next year.

The pair have two children and six grandchildren.

They worked as cottage parents, which are live-in foster parents, for the Salvation Army in Geelong before they moved to Adelaide in 1980 to work in the ministry.

Both had previously trained for two years to be ordained as Salvation Army ministers.

Mr Watson was a pastor until he and his wife left the ministry in 1988.

He went on to study social work at university and worked in mental health and drug and alcohol services with the Salvation Army, both in Adelaide and in Geelong when they moved back in 1995.

Mr Watson retired from social work about seven years ago before he worked as a volunteer gardener.

Mr and Mrs Watson still maintain a strong connection to their faith.

He attends a day program at Anam Cara House, not-for-profit service which provides care for people affected by life limiting illnesses, twice a week.

Graeme Watson and his wife Joan. Picture: Brad Fleet

Question: What’s a memory that you treasure?

Graeme: We went to Fox Glacier (in New Zealand). We somehow found ourselves in a helicopter and went up on top of the glacier. We got out and walked on the snow.

Joan: That was about 28 years ago. It was amazing, really spectacular.

Q: What is your proudest achievement?

G: Sitting alongside my wife. I chose well. Also being a dad and a papa. We have our grandkids come over and stay with us.

Q: What would you tell your younger self?

G: I was one of eight kids, I had my bottom smacked a couple of times. I would tell my younger self to try and be a better kid.

Q: Do you have any regrets?

G: There will always be regrets. You might say something and then think “that was a silly thing to say”. I could have been a better child than I was, I was a bit naughty growing up but that is part of growing up.

Q: What’s a life lesson you would like to share with others?

G: Be friendly to others. Listen to other people and their stories and learn from their experience. Respect other people, where they are and where they have come from. Don’t be judgmental.

Q: Are you scared of dying?

G: No, not at all.

Q: What do you think will happen after you die?

G: We get promoted to glory. You leave Earth and go to Heaven. We will be promoted to glory because of our faith.

J: We see it as a celebration to meet with God.

Q: What mark do you think you are leaving behind?

G: I would like to be remembered as a friend and as someone who enjoys people’s company.

J: Graeme has always been a helper and he always makes himself available to support people. He is always there for others.

Originally published as Before I Go: Geelong grandfather Graeme Watson shares life lessons after Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis