My husband who is 59 years old was diagnosed with Alzheimer's almost 3 yrs ago. He can still feed himself and sometimes get to the bathroom in time, otherwise I do everything for him. Some days I'm completely overwhelmed and I'm hoping that this website will bring me some comfort in knowing that I am not alone.
Bev, welcome to our home away from home! You will find that our family here takes very good care of each other, and gives support, advice, hugs and answers to help you as your spouse journeys through AD. It sounds like you have been through a great deal of this journey alone. You now have friends here to help you.
If you don't have help at home, you might discuss with his doctor about having Hospice to give you some assistance at home so that you won't wear yourself out. We have to take care of ourselves, so that we can take better care of our loved ones.
Bev You have indeed found the right place for comfort. The people on here are EXPERTS on Alzheimer's and often know more than the doctors. As for me, I am the Village Idiot, so take everything I say lightly, and with a grain of salt...no a teaspoon...heck make it a margarita. Welcome to Joan's site. She is the Godess of ALZ, and a true blessing to anyone who knows her, with a heart that is bigger than life itself.
Bev, welcome to the club that no one wants to join. You have found a wonderfully supportive site because everyone understands and will be here for you.
Welcome Bev. I'm glad you found your way here. If not for these precious friends, I would be completely nuts..well..we all may be a little nuts but thats ok too.
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 4 sections for EOAD (Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease - diagnosed before age 65 - your husband fits that category) members - two of which focus on the young teens whose parents have EOAD. There is a great new section on informative videos, and another excellent resource - Early Onset Dementia - A Practical Guide.
Do not miss the "previous blog" section. It is there you will find a huge array of topics with which you can relate. There is a new "search" feature on the home page that allows you to look up different topics that may have been explored in a previous blog. Log onto the home page daily - www.thealzheimerspouse.com - for new blogs; news updates; important information.
You stated the exact reason I started this website - I could not imagine that I was alone - that I was the only spouse of an AD patient who felt the way I did. I wanted a place where we could all share our emotions and not feel like we were the only ones experiencing our "unique issues."
You may also want to go to the top of this page, hit "search", and type in EOAD. Make sure the "topic" circle is filled in, and then hit enter. At least a dozen topics on EOAD will come up.
Hope you visit often. I am sure you will find what you are looking for right here with us.
Bev, welcome. You will find this website informative, caring and a place of friendship and comfort. I have learned more at this website than I was ever told by his doctors. The group here even identified my dh's uncontrolled rash as scabies (even though his pcp said no). My dh is also 59 andwas diagnosed 2 years ago, so I can relate to your journey. Sorry you have to join us but you will find comfort.
Welcome BevL. you will find good support and lots of well informed folks who are dealing with the same issues you are. if you have questions or just want to let off steam its good to go here. looking forward to having you join in..divvi
Welcome Bev. This is a site where you can ask questions or just vent. We understand. My husband was diagnosed with FTD at the age of 58, he's now 60. I'm 51 and we have two adult children.
A big welcome to you, Bev. You will be glad you found this site! So many helpful, compassionate, understanding people here. My DH is 86 and I'm 70. He was DX'd in 2003 with ALZ and is still doing fairly well.
Welcome Bev. My DH was diagnosed at 64 although he had been symptomatic for awhile before that. I'm 58. Remembering the shock I went through I can't even imagine how it must feel to have such a young husband be hit by this insidious disease. There are others in your circumstances here. I hope that will be helpful to you. I don't know what I would have done without this site.
Welcome from one Bev to another. My husband was first diagnosed with Lewy body dementia and then changed to FTD. It could be that they overlap. This is a good place to come to. As Grannywhiskers says, we're walking the same road.