Hi, I am a 58 year old female caring for my 63 year old spouse. He had a brain bleed of unknown causes when he was 50. He was able to return to work for a few years but then his declining memory forced him to retire with disability. He has since had another bleed and has been dx with dementia.He has been tested for AZ but they say he does not have it. He takes nemenda for his memory.We live in a rural area so no close neighborers. I retired 3 years ago to stay home with him. I have had a hard time dealing with all of this by myself. I felt so alone. There are a lot of people in my life that say I can talk to them anytime but I cant because they don't really understand what i'm going through. Then I found this website. This is wonderful I have been reading posts and information every since. It is so go to have somewhere to go that people understand. My dh is probably in a late stage 4 or early 5. I want to thank you all. I have benefited so much from you already. I'm sure there are a lot of people out there that you help that you aren't aware of because they haven't joined yet but read this site.
Welcome to my website, which I started in 2007, because I needed a place that dealt with my unique issues as a spouse of an Alzheimer patient. It is now 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". Since EOAD (early or young onset) applies to you and your spouse, there are 4 sections for EOAD members - two of which focus on the young teens whose parents have EOAD. 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.
Welcome grannyD. I'm sorry you have to join our ranks but happy you chose to decided to log on and add your insights to the mix. We all have something to add or have solved a problems others haven't been able to. Don't be shy.
A big welcome to you you, grannyD. This is a wonderful place to be with lots of people who have been before us and can offer so much to us. Hugs to you.
welcome grannyD! its good you are out of the closet and posting:) so much info you can read for weeks and never repeat posts. everyone here is very good at offering some suggestions or just a note of comfort. feel free to start a new topic with any concerns or questions. divvi
GrannyD, Welcome to this unique group of people who all have one thing in common. We are all caregivers trying to care for our LO's the best we can. You will always find someone who has gone through or is going to go through the same thing(similairly) as you are going through and you will never find anyone that doesn't understand what you are feeling or thinking. I am like you, none of my friends really understand what I am going through so they have no idea what to do and for the most part that makes them uncomfortable so they don't visit much anymore. I am sure that you will grow to love and depend on this group of people like I have.
Welcome, grannyD! Sorry you are in the situation to have to be here, but it's the best place to be. We're all in the same leaky boat, but life preservers abound!
Welcome GrannyD. This wonderful place will save your sanity and help you realize you are no longer alone. When you see the * after a name you will know that our struggle is done.
Welcome, GrannyD; glad to have you join us tho' it'd be nice if none of us had to be here. Great place to share info, ask questions, encourage one another. We live in the country, too, w/small towns 7-15 miles around us. This site, as you've discovered, is a godsend. (((hugs)))
I welcomed you on the "Where are you from" thread but let me welcome you again here. ((((hugs))))
I'm 52 and my husband is 61. He was diagnosed with FTD (frontotemporal dementia) right before his 59th birthday. He goes to daycare 3 days a week and the rest of the time we are together 24/7.
This site makes me feel less alone. I hope it does the same for you.
GrannyD - Welcome to our place of comfort. I especially understand how it is when you live in a rural area. When I was really lonely the deer and the rabbits were not much company. Not to mention how difficult it was to get away to shop or go to the drug store. When my husband was well he used to tell people that we had to drive 30 miles when we had a big mac attack. You will find lots of good company here though.
In the short time I have been with this group I have found the participants to be understanding, caring and supportive. Regrettably, the group has a vast amount of experience from living through this disease; yet, it’s an opportunity for us “Newbie’s” to draw insight and comfort from them. I’m 53, my DW is 51 and dx FTD January 2008.
GrannyD, Welcome to the family! Sorry you have to be here, but it is a good place to be. Everyone here understands. We have all either been there or will be there soon. Please feel free to share, vent, & know that we WILL be supportive. Consider this your virtual support group.
Welcome grannyD, You have found safe place. I, also live in a very isolated town in central West Texas...we have to drive 47 miles to go to a show :). It is 87 miles to a larger hospital. Now...that completely eliminates most of the services that you hear about on this site. But, rest assured...help is here!