JOAN’S BLOG – TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2009 – SPOUSAL CAREGIVERS IN SECOND MARRIAGES – A DISCUSSION AND CHANCE TO PARTCIPATE IN A STUDY

We here at The Alzheimer Spouse discuss all topics related to how caregiving for a spouse with Alzheimer’s Disease affects the marital relationship. Many of us who have been in decades-long, stable, loving marriages, have been devastated by the destruction Alzheimer’s Disease has wrought on our spousal relationship. Others of you have struggled with difficult marriages all along, and are angry and resentful at the burden Alzheimer’s Disease has added to an already toxic relationship. Still others of you have found happiness in second marriages, but have discovered that they come with their own set of problems unrelated to Alzheimer’s Disease – step children and territorial financial issues, to mention just two. When the newly married spouse becomes ill with Alzheimer’s Disease, the problems can multiply and explode – who has power of attorney; who is in charge of health decisions; who is in charge of the money…………….you who are living in this quagmire, know the pitfalls first hand.

A new study, funded by the Alzheimer’s Association, will give a voice to you – the second spouses- and your distinctive issues. I had a lengthy telephone conversation this morning with Dr. Carey Wexler-Sherman from the University of Michigan, who is conducting the study. As we have learned on this website, spousal issues are unique to spouses, and I have created this website for us to discuss those issues. However, there is a subset of spouses – the remarried spouses whose partners have developed Alzheimer’s Disease- who often feel isolated, frightened, and angry, due to the emotional, verbal, and legal abuse they suffer at the hands of their spouses’ family.  (Disclaimer – it is understood that not ALL second spouses have difficult relationships with their step families.)

Dr. Wexler-Sherman was fascinated that this website exists, and is interested in talking to those of you who are willing to discuss the problems facing “the second spouse Alzheimer caregiver”.

If you are interested in participating in the study, you may e-mail Dr. Wexler-Sherman - careyws@isr.umich.edu  or call her at 734.763.4993.  She will be reading the website and message boards today, so I am requesting that you also post your comments about the issues you feel are paramount to “second marriage Alzheimer caregiving” on the Message Boards under the topic: Second Spouse Issues – A New Study Wants to Hear from You.

Below is the official statement on the study:

Are you a remarried spouse caring for a husband or wife with memory
loss? If so, researchers at the University of Michigan want to hear
from you. To date, virtually nothing is known about the experience of
Alzheimer's disease and care giving for remarried couples and their
extended family members. Recognizing that complex family dynamics can
result from marital transitions and remarriage, we are interested to
learn whether remarried caregivers face added or unique challenges in
their care giving role. The study is funded by the Alzheimer’s
Association. Findings from the study (IRB#HUM00014471) will help
inform further research and development of interventions and policies
that can better anticipate and serve the next generations of
Alzheimer's patients, caregivers, and family members. The study
interview is conducted by telephone at the participant's convenience.
Interviews are generally two hours in length, and gather information
about marital history, care giving experiences, social support and
caregiver well-being. For more information, please contact Dr. Carey
Wexler-Sherman at 734.763.4993 OR caregiver@umich.edu

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