“Early in the disease when I told someone that my husband had Alzheimer’s, I got that deer-in-the-headlights look, the one that signals something terrible is about to happen and there is nothing you can do to stop it. There was no hiding their concern and sorrow for what we were about to face.
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is like navigating a voyage on the high seas. The course offers an unpredictable combination of magnificent and turbulent experiences. Caregiver survival depends on steady footing, dependable support, and a lot of prayer.
As primary caregivers to someone with Alzheimer’s, our responsibilities are at their maximum. Our undivided attention is needed every second of every day. Our loved one’s physical, emotional, and mental needs are in our hands. Unlike caring for children, who also require undivided attention, the journey of Alzheimer’s is one of decline rather than growth, increasing dependence rather than independence. We must think for our loved ones in every way, and we realize that care will extend for the rest of their lives here on earth. Such intense care is wearing on our emotional and physical health as few other caregiving roles are.
But there is so much more to our experience than this. We also encounter grace-filled moments. The woman before us is the mother who nurtured, worried about, and prayed for us. This is the sibling we shared secrets with, the husband who was “our everything.” Even in the late stages of our loved one’s Alzheimer’s, we caregivers experience fragments of the person we knew. We hear stories from the past that we’ve long forgotten, or never heard, and share tender, loving moments meant only for us.
The care required is intimate and soulful. It’s heart-wrenching and heart-warming. People with Alzheimer’s are often agitated, frustrated, and confused. But they also can be quite sweet, innocent, and profoundly appreciative of our presence.”
—Excerpt from Navigating Alzheimer’s. 12 Truths about Caring for Your Loved One (p 11-12)
**Most of my books are also available from the publisher, ACTA Publications.
Comments