Meet fellow Caregivers - Introduce yourself

I dont know where to start. I feel like i am sick and dont want to go to dr because then i might have to stay in an unbearable situation if i get feeling better. We moved closer to elderly parents thirteen yrs ago as i could see that mom as not doing well. She had Alzheimers and was a danger to herself and my dad. She set fire cooking several times. After along struggle with family she was put in a care home. Then it was looking after dad. For the first few months he had a tough time adjusting and frankly so did i. Midnight calls etc. We got a system set up but then he told me he didnt like my husband and never had. Now we had been married almost 50 yrs. so it meant my husband wasnt going to dads house and we didnt have family dinners either. My dad didnt want to go visit mom as he thought i was going to leave him there. I will tell you i would have liked to because he was so ornery but i didnt. In 2010 my husband was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Thankfully he survived all the traetments and has to wear a bag, but as a result he has cognitive impairment. He is 80 yrs old. In 2013 i was diagnosed with Fuchs dystrophy and late last year we moved to Alberta to be close to son. Now i cant drive intil transplant in a month and i have totally lost my independence. So i am burnt out depressed and stressed

Hello, I am Maria. I care for my mom who has advanced Alzheimers. I also work full-time, (I'm a parmedic that works in a clinic), and am active in my church. Most of my time is spent on my mother, either caring for her or keeping track of the aids caring for her. I am even in the process of selling my home to live in the same building where she resides as to make it easier on me to care for her. I do understand the demand the disease takes on resources, time, space and life. I am the oldest of 3 siblings who help me not at all. I understand the isolation and resentment as the one in the family who is the caregiver for all. Remember, Life is great when you put others before you. I love my mom and eventhough she makes me nuts sometimes, I have no regrets.

I am the caregiver for my husband of 45 years. I fell in love with him when I was 13. Love at first sight! A few years back, my son that worked with him noticed some little changes. We went to a neurologist then and he didn't think it was Alzeheimers. We followed up a doctor visit 2 years ago and he said the same thing. You're fine, but let's put you on a CPap. Last year we went again, right after my husband retired in March, and by then I was seeing small things that cropped up in his figuring out problems, here and there. Once again, after the 7 question test and chat, he said he thought he was fine. That's when our family doctor, a personal friend called the neurologist back and convinced the neurologist he wasn't "fine."He has Early Stage and is taking both normal meds for AD. But I wasn't happy with the confusing care we got in our town, so I had him evaluated by a psychcologist here, and we decided to seek care at UTSouthwestern in Dallas. What a difference! I know there is no cure, but they have done so much more than just let us just sit here a waste away. They gave us a top notch neurologist. She suggested a drug trial that he might enter down the road. She sent him to an endocrinologist he needed and by persevering, we got into a drug trial for Aducanumab this month. I've learned that since I've loved him so long I have to be the best advocate I can. He's been a prince of a husband and father. We will fight this.Thank you for all you do!

I am the caregiver for my husband of 45 years. I fell in love with him when I was 13. Love at first sight! A few years back, my son that worked with him noticed some little changes. We went to a neurologist then and he didn't think it was Alzeheimers. We followed up a doctor visit 2 years ago and he said the same thing. You're fine, but let's put you on a CPap. Last year we went again, right after my husband retired in March, and by then I was seeing small things that cropped up in his figuring out problems, here and there. Once again, after the 7 question test and chat, he said he thought he was fine. That's when our family doctor, a personal friend called the neurologist back and convinced the neurologist he wasn't "fine."He has Early Stage and is taking both normal meds for AD. But I wasn't happy with the confusing care we got in our town, so I had him evaluated by a psychcologist here, and we decided to seek care at UTSouthwestern in Dallas. What a difference! I know there is no cure, but they have done so much more than just let us just sit here a waste away. They gave us a top notch neurologist. She suggested a drug trial that he might enter down the road. She sent him to an endocrinologist he needed and by persevering, we got into a drug trial for Aducanumab this month. I've learned that since I've loved him so long I have to be the best advocate I can. He's been a prince of a husband and father. We will fight this.Thank you for all you do!

Hi Sharon, I'm Shirley caring for my sister with dementia. Keep trying on that computer. You're doing fine.