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After more than twenty years, she finally succumbed to full-blown dementia and John took early retirement to become her full-time carer.
The following eight years, during which Shirley no longer recognised either John or her two sons, was a challenge. John coped by mentally stepping back from reality and trying to take a detached view of the sometimes bizarre happenings that made up their life. He recorded many of these the more humorous happenings in letters to his GP when he wrote to her for repeat prescriptions, and these formed the basis for his book, ''Caring for Shirley''. See also [http://www.caringforshirley.co.uk www.caringforshirley.co.uk].
Shirley, sadly, died in a NHS respite centre while John was taking a short break from caring. He is now happily re-married and enjoying a busy retirement.
