Welcome to my website. You have come to a place of comfort for spouses who are trying to cope with the Alzheimer's/dementia of their husband/wife. The issues we face in dealing with a spouse with this disease are so different from the issues faced by children and grandchildren caregivers. We discuss all of those issues here - loss of intimacy; social contact; conversation; anger; resentment; stress; and pain of living with the stranger that Alzheimer's Disease has put in place of our beloved spouse.
The message boards are only part of this website. Please be sure to log onto the home page - www.thealzheimerspouse.com - and read all of the resources on the left side. I recommend starting with "Newly Diagnosed/New Member" and "Understanding the Dementia Experience". There are 3 sections for EOAD members - two of which focus on the young teens whose parents have EOAD (early onset AD). Do not miss the "previous blog" section. It is there you will find a huge array of topics with which you can relate. Log onto the home page daily for new blogs; news updates; important information.
I hope you will visit often and get the support and information you are looking for.
Currently, the message boards and resources can be used for free, but due to the high cost of maintaining the website, anyone who is able to make a payment in any amount to help defray the costs may do so by clicking on the "sticky topic" - Payments to this website. Any purchases made through the Amazon links and Zazzle Marketplace also help keep this site up and running. Thank you.
joang, thanks for the warm welcome. and Mary, thanks for the hug. I have been logging on for a few months now and find that reading the experiences of the spouses has been so helpful in coping with all the changes that have taken place in this household. At least I do not feel so alone. I did attend a caregiver's group for a while but stopped feeling comfortable about leaving him alone for more than about 1/2 an hour at a time. At least I can take a walk early in the morning still. Otherwise, I just take him with me to shop or whatever. Of course, he has no idea that there is a problem, so I am careful not to be too "bossy." Patience was never my best thing, but I am learning.
welcome bookworm! hope we can continue to offer support -friendship- and look forward to your posts! everyone here knows exactly how you feel going thru these daily dramas.- divvi