When I read here of all the different things you all have been through or are going through, I am so thankful:

1. That DH quit driving on his own and tells me how happy he is that I like to drive,
2. That he will now eat anything I put in front of him - 3 times a day.
3. That he can shower, shave, brush teeth and take care of his personal needs.
4. That he has never been abusive, either verbally or otherwise, to me.
5. That I can at least leave him alone for 2 hours without worrying (much).
6. That he loves to play games on laptop - all afternoon - leaving me with "my" time in another part of the house.
7. That he still loves to take the dog for a walk - although he is a little unsteady on his feet - and I watch him from a distance.
8. That he can and does set the table, clear the table, put dishes in dishwasher, take dishes out of dishwasher - even though they don't get put up correctly most of the time
9. That he still loves to go out to eat and does fairly well with that; and wants to pay for the meal - borrowing money from me to do so!
10. That he doesn't mind me making the decisions regarding finances, medical, home improvements, repairs, etc.
11. That he constantly tells me he loves me.
12. That he can and does vacumn, fold clothes, hangs up his own clothes when he takes them off and pretty well picks up after himself.

The list could go longer, but I'll stop.

I know this can change in a moment. He is 86, in fairly good health otherwise. I am NOT thankful for having to answer the same question 10 times in 5 minutes...but, hey, that's a small price to pay when I look back over this list.

Vickie, I agree with most of what you say. DH gave up driving a while ago without any big fuss. He was verbally abusive some years ago before I/we knew he had AD. He wouldn't touch a computer with a ten foot pole. LOL. We don't have a dog but he does walk most days. Will go out to eat occasionally and he will even pay now and then! Takes care of his clothes but doesn't always remember where he hangs them or which closet his jackets are in. Sometimes he opens the door to the pantry and like your DH will empty the dishwasher but forgets where things go.

The worst thing for me lately was the paranioa but that seems to have been taken care of now that he is on 100mg of Sertraline/Zoloft. I hope it stays that way.

I'm thankful that
1. he isn't in pain
2. he still knows me
3. I can still take him out
4. he is nearby
5. he is in a terrific VA facility
6. I can go home secure in the knowledge that he is being wonderfully cared for
7. that I can have meals with him whenever I'm able
8. that my children love him
9. that he still holds my hand
10. that he sometimes still looks at me with love in his eyes
11. there are good people out there developing good meds
12. there are good people out there doing research to find a cure
13. we have wonderful doctors
14. that I can "make his day" by bringing our puppy to see him
15. that we can sit and just be

I am so thankful because we have 3 seasons this year!!!!!
Fall
Summer
Tourist

I am thankful:

That I was lucky enough to have had more than 3 decades of a fabulous love

That we have wonderful, supportive friends and a social life.

That I am living my dream of writing

For my son

For having such a great family

For dear old friends

For all of you

That I live where it is warm

joang

I have LOTS of stuff to be thankful for ....... I've learned this over the past year, especially. My situation has been quite different from lots of yours in regards of careing for someone with AD.....or rather TRYING to. Brought John home from Florida to let him be home with me. Thought I could make a difference, but he kept getting sick and having to go to the hospital. The hospital finally took the burden off of me and decided it was unsafe for him to be home any longer. No reflection on me, as I look back. I just couldn't do the job by myself, without help. (I couldn't lift this man when he would fall, for example). Therefore, I am thankful that I haven't had to be the caregiver that some of you are heroicly able to be, alone or with help.