Flynlow posted under the Newbie from a Month Ago thread started by Gina.
Welcome to my webiste flynlow. There are more men here than you think - it's just that the women are chattier.
I started it 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". You did not mention your wife's age, but If it applies to you and your spouse, there are 4 sections for EOAD (early onset AD- now called YOUNG onset) 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. There is also a section for Male Caregivers - lots of "foreign territory" questions answered for our guy members.
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.
Hello, flynflo, You have come to a wonderful place for understanding and resources to help you in your journey. We have many shared experiences here, and just as many instances that are different from others' experiences. You will find support here, so come back when you can.
Welcome, flynlow. My wife is in late stage 6 AD. Like yours, she is basically very easy to care for - no rages, occasionally resists. So far I have not had to put her on any mood-altering drugs, but I do take a mild antidepressant for myself. As joang said, there are several other men here, but most do not post as much as the women.
Welcome, flynlow.Too bad you HAVE to join our club-but just know that when NO ONE else will listen and understand WE WILL ! And yes ,we women are sort of chatty!!
Hi flynlow & welcome to your new virtual support group. As you know we are here 24/7 so you can come back anytime. I read the advice you gave Coco & Gina & it was right on! You will fit in perfectly!
Welcome to the group flynlow. This is going on yr 6 for me with my wife. Her mother and brother both had Alz. At first was the rage, meaniness, just down right mad and deined everything. It has forced the use of mind altering drugs for her, that has given us a qualitlty of life for us and a decent life here at home. I put her in daycare twice a week , also have a Lady from Church that sits with her at the house when I need her, She is an Blessing. Likewise the Pastor will do that duty also. I have 86yr Mother also that needs to be run to Doc, gro.shopping, etc. She doesn't drive anymore. Mother is a lot of help, we talk about every evening, a lot that positive thinking goes a lone way. Then I've got a younger sister who does what has to done, no questions. We three are a lot alike in our ways. Then I 've a younger btother, who has stepped this year a lot. Right now it's like a time before a storm, I'm sure you all have been there. I'm just Thankful, we can do and make it work with what we've got. It has been a JOURNEY for this marriage of 42yr. GOD has been great in our lives and I can only tell you how much I appreciate the Lord in our life. keep in touch. russ
I have only been on here a few days and have learned so so much. there is a link to a PDF file that is many pages long, on the main webpage. Pretty much says it all and I have saved it so I can explain to others.
I find it really nice to have men on here too, of course. My husband and I took care of his Mom when she had Alzheimers, though at a much older age.
Think of us as a cartoon. We are Wile E Coyote, Alzheimer's is the road runner, and normal life is ACME company. No matter what you do, the boulder will land on you. Suprisingly and after a while, depressingly, we always get up again to have the boulder land on us again.
Personally, I think of us as hanging onto a cliff by our fingernails while Al Zheimer stomps his feet randomly on our fingers, yet again miraculously almost no one falls off. Tiring though and the plot line is repetitive.
welcome to you flynlow. its a sad event that any of us must be here but under the circumstances the best place to be. you are another now among the community of spouses who know the ropes and a safe place to air the laundry.:)
Welcome flynlow! Sorry you have to be here, but you will find wonderful support! It's the best place to be during this hirrible journey that's been forced upon us!