Because we have many new members who are struggling to understand and cope with the changes Alzheimer's Disease is bringing to their marriage, I decided to reprint a blog that gives straightforward information about marriage and AD. I am encouraging all new members, especially those whose spouses are newly diagnosed to read this informative blog - on the home page - www.thealzheimerspouse.com
Awesome summary Joan, I have bookmarked that. It is all in there. My eyes gravitated to the friends disappearing and the people saying well he seems all right. Not.
As usual, Joan, very good information. I recall the "don't argue, just agree" advice being helpful when my dh would present an odd behavior or persistent wacky thought. The reasoning chip was missing and then anger and frustration would fill up "our time" together. It was so much better when I repeated to myself, "It's not him, its the damn disease." Then walk away, provide a distraction or a fiblet ("oh, no, I have a problem with the washing machine...") any thing that will help calm my dh, even fake phone calls to our children.
yes, Joan, the don't argue advice is one I have to keep reminding myself of. We never argued much before this disease took over. If I disagreed I usually just shut up and let whatever it was go and eventually we'd come to some middle ground. He would have told you in pre-az days the middle ground was always on my side. But now there is no reasoning left so I just agree with whatever and change the subject. I miss discussing reasonably disagreements we have.