I live in Mayfield Ky ,far western ky, close to Mississippi River. I am the caregiver of my husband of 40 yrs who has Alzheimers, let me know if you are close>
Welcome to my website. There is a discussion at the top of this page titled "Where are you From?" It is a "sticky", which means it stays at the top so it is easy to find. I have posted your question under that topic. Also, go to my home page - www.thealzheimerspouse.com - and look on the left side. Scroll down until you come to the last box - it has a picture of a globe, and it is titled - "Our Members - Where are we from?" It is a wonderful grid put together by one of our members that lists members and where they are from.
You have come to a place of comfort for spouses/partners who are trying to cope with the Alzheimer's/dementia of their husband/wife/partner. The issues we face in dealing with a spouse/partner 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/partner.
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 members - two of which focus on the young teens whose parents have EOAD (early onset AD). There is a great section on informative videos, and another excellent resource - Early Onset Dementia - A Practical Guide. You can go to the top of this page, click on "search", and type in EOAD, making sure the "topic" circle is filled in. All of the EOAD discussions will come up - there are about a dozen of them.
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 "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 for new blogs; news updates; important information.
Ky caregiver, Welcome to your new virtual support group. I'm sorry you have to be here, but it IS a great place to be to share you emotions, ask questions & get the support you need. Feel free to ask & say anything because we all understand. Many of us have "been there done that". Come back often!
I'm so happy you found this site. It's the very best support group you will ever find. I'm in Somerset KY - but, unfortunately, not close to you. Please tell us about yourself and your husband when you are ready. We are all here to help each other.
I retired last year from my RN position of home health nurse, because my spouse of 40 yrs has AD and needed me at home. He had started to call me more, skip meals, and just generally deteriorate. He is about stage 5 now I think. He is on Exelon and Namenda, also takes Trazadone , Xanax, and Celexa. He is very anxious, not necesarily about AD. i am forced to sneak Xanax in his drinks. He has been on a pretty even keel lately, thank God, but some days gets very agitated. I have a lot to be thankful for. He is pretty healthy other than AD, gets around good, still able to do ADLs. I have POA and a will already in place. I am very nervous about the future, I can see that we are becoming more isolated every day, although i try to get out there somewhat.
Hi kycareiver-Like you I gave up my much loved career as a home health RN. It wasn't until I was at home that I realized how much my husband needed me there. Isolation is the pits. As my husband sank deeper into the FTD pit and his actions became very inappropriate people we had always been friends with started to draw away. I couldn't leave him home alone and couldn't take him with me. Had several very rough years until I placed him because I could no longer keep his safely at home. I learned a lot here on the forum that I never found in books. Welcome to your new family. There isn't much we haven't been through collectively.
I found out too, I knew I would hate this and It was true. We have traveled some, he is still able at this point. Sorry to hear of your tough journey. I hope your life is easier now.
From "formal" diagnosis till the end about 12 years but he was end stage for almost three. No other medical problems. By that time my mind and body were shot. I never went back to work.