I invite you to log onto the home page - www.thealzheimerspouse.com - and read my New Year's Blog. In spite of our trials as Alzheimer Spouses, I have written what I hope is a positive message for the new year.
Joan, I wish you and Sid the best an AD spouse and LO can have. My DH has been worse the past couple of weeks so I am expecting more of the same for 2012. I am resolving to handle it with more patience than I have had for months! I wish everyone a Happy New Year and pray God Blessings on you.
This week I went to yet another funeral for a spouse of someone in my support group. Third funeral in 6 months, and 2 of those 3 who died were in Clare's support group earlier this year. Also in these same 6 months, 1 has placed a spouse in hospice, and 2 have placed spouses in assisted living ... all 3 were in my Clare's support group at the beginning of summer. I don't want to end this year on such a downer, but ... yes, Joan, doing things sooner rather than later is very sound advice because those serious cliff falls often come without warning. In my support group, most spouses would readily admit that they waited too long before seeking additional help in whatever form. So, enjoy the new 'me time' now that Sid appears happy with his new activitiers. And to you, Joan, and all who read what is easily the best website for those who paddle in our "Alzheimer's Lake of Confusion", my best wishes for a happier and healthier new year.
Joan, thanks for your blog. I, too, am trying to be proactive in our LBD life. We have applied to an Independent Living facility and are just waiting for something to come available. Doing something sooner than later is very important for all of us. Have a good evening.
Thank you, Joan, for honouring the death of our mates. I seldom have tears now - I thought I'd shed them all - but as I read down the list of names, I had tears for the loss of each one. My love and sympathy to those who cared for them to the end and my wish that in time, healing will take place.
your blog makes a lot of sense joan. those 2 resolutions are good ones to get done for sure. seems the end of a year brings alot of nostalgia as well. reading those names of the lost spouses brought feelings of reverence and saddness. so many in such a short time. may we all enjoy a bit of peace and joy in the upcoming new year and form new friendships here along the way! divvi
Great post Joan!! I love this. " Deal with the difficulties on the day they occur and enjoy the good days when they come. Dwelling on a negative future keeps us from enjoying whatever pleasure comes our way on a particular day." SO TRUE!!! I have a blog, and posted something similar. I am working so hard to enjoy the moments, the days may be long, but the moments that come our way are to be cherished! :) Here is the post http://samismom22.wordpress.com/
Happy New Year and thanks Joan for this website! :)
Although DH has gotten significantly worse in the last 3 months, I vowed that in 2012 I would find 5 reasons to be grateful each and every day. Well, it's day 3 and I still have things to be grateful for....the one I say every day is that DH is still with me and knows who I am. I know that will change, so I want to make sure I am grateful until it does.
To those who lost loved ones in 2011-my thoughts and prayers are with each of you ad I want to thank you for coninuing to support those of us still on this journey. Your wisdom is immeasurable.
I've been trying to be proactive and plan ahead and take care of things that need to be taken care of. But for this new year, I have a different goal. I found this goal on the January 2 page of my new Mary Engelbreit page-a-day calendar. The goal is: HAVE! MORE! FUN! I can say without hesitation that doing that is something that very seldom, if ever, gets added to my endless "things to do" list. This year, I am going to try to change that. In April, I start my tenth year of caregiving, and I decided this is the year I am going to pay more attention to taking care of the caregiver—before she keels over on the floor or has a complete breakdown.
My sincere condolences to all of you who lost your spouses this last year. I hope this next year will bring you the peace and happiness you all deserve so very much.