I'm excited to be here, although not excited for my reason being here...my husband 20 years my senior is rapidly descending into Alzheimer's. He's always been sharp as a tack so it's extremely difficult to witness this. I really appreciate any support and words of wisdom...feeling lots of ups and downs...
You have come to the right place, lots of support and advice from experts who, like you, are living in this dementia world. It's so sad that you have become one of us but be sure that this group of loving caring folks will be with you as you start this journey and as long as you want. I stumbled on this site a little over a year ago and I have learned so much and I have had so many hugs and so much encouragement. Sometimes I wonder if I am being a pain in the butt, but they are always there. Sometimes it's just an encouraging hug, other times it's the best advice and just what I need. My husband has three Dementia's. He has Vascular dementia, Alzheimer's and the bad one called bv frontotemporal. He is in LongTerm Care since last September. I won't try to explain as I have many posts that share my walk. I have come to count on the advice and help and I hope you will as well. Has your husband been diagnosed and is he on Meds?
I stumbled on this site at about the same time as Jazzy, and I would have been lost over the last year if I didn't have this place to come to for support and guidance. There are so many loving and helpful people here, with spouses at various stages of dementia. My DH (dear husband) is 12 years my senior, and it is painful to watch him deteriorate as Alzheimer's takes its relentless hold on what was once a bright, intelligent and witty mind.
Joan will be along soon to officially welcome you, and walk you through the many resources available on this site, but in the meantime, feel free to read what is written, and comment when you feel it is appropriate. There are topics that cover just about everything you can think of either in one of Joan's blogs, or on the message board.
Hi Linda, this is the best place for encouragement, advice and ranting (if you need to). My DH was dx'd (diagnosed) with bvFTD at age 58 in 2008, so we've been on this journey a long time. I couldn't have made it this far if I hadn't found joan's wonderful website. It is the only support group I belong to and has absolutely the best information on dealing with the challenges dementia brings.
Hi Linda75, welcome to the club you never asked to join! As those before me have said, this is by far one of the best resources for coping with this awful disease that has gripped our spouses. I've been coming to this site for three years now and find it to be the best. My husband is 64, was diagnosed at the age of 60 with dementia probably of the Alzheimer's type (a kind of generic diagnosis when they're just not sure). My husband also has some behaviors which I think indicate frontotemporal dementia as well.
Don't be shy about seeking support or advice. It really does take a village to care for a person with dementia and we are that virtual village!
Linda75 - I'll add my welcome. Although our journey ended 18 months ago I still come here to find out what my "friends" are doing. As strange as it may sound I feel closer to these folks than some of my friends who haven't traveled this road. My dh had vascular dementia and it took me a while to admit to myself that he would never be the same guy again. Reading here about others helped me to realize I wasn't really alone on the journey. There are topics on everything and I mean every thing even a spot for those of us who are now alone. I don't know you yet but heres a hug from me anyway. (( ))
Hello Linda75 - Welcome! Though sorry you have to be here.
I've been kicking around this site from almost its beginning and I never would of been able to make it through this disease and all the stages without the members support. Hubby is also 20+ years my senior with Alz and he is now in LTC or NH since last October been married over 30 years. I've now gone back to work part time and slowly getting "me" back.
Tell us some more about yourself and your hubby and please know that no question is off limits.
Hi Linda75. I am new also and have gained much from reading and perusing this site. I hope you gain the insight and support of all of us in this journey as I have. LFL, I am on the same page with you, with my husband being diagnosed in 2008 and is now just turning 61 years old. I am in a place where I am ready to place him although Im sure I could hang in a year or two more. But I have to try this and see if it is what is best for the both of us. I feel my world shrinking and he is at the point that he doesn't understand me, is incontinent and robs me of my sleep. Im not sure if that is enough of an excuse to do this but I am young too and selfishly do not my life to be over. I will be there for him all the way, but see he is no more the man I married. It is a very sad experience for all of us!
Welcome to my website. Welcome to my website. I started this website in 2007 because I couldn't find anyone who would talk about how I felt - I thought I was the only one feeling the way I did about what Alzheimer's Disease was doing to my marriage. I needed a place that dealt with my unique issues as a spouse of an Alzheimer patient. This site 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".
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.
No one understands our issues like another spouse.
Thank you everyone for your kind words and welcoming me here, I haven’t been on forum since my first post because I’ve been busy with my husband and life in general, I hope you all doing good dealing with this disease, yes Jazzy my husband has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, poor memory, and lack of logical thinking are the characteristics, and he is taking his medicines, at he was in complete denial, and it was hard for him to let go things he used to enjoy doing, like driving, and he has become very forgetful over the past couple of years. Which it’s tough for me to see him change like this.