Dealing with a Spouse with a “Mild Cognitive Impairment”

Please feel free to use this as a "woe is me" site if you need to vent some steam. We're all human, and we've all been there.
My husband seems to be in the same general state as yours with MCI. He has few memories of our lives together, is relatively independent but gets lost, can't work his phone, etc. I'm handling it so far by trying to maintain my other relationships while I'm still free to do so. I know that when his dementia worsens I'll be a lot more limited. I intend to care for him at home as long as possible. So, I walk a few miles a day, exercise a bit with weights at home, and do stretching exercises. Endorphins are good. I try to befriend new people so I'm not so lonely and maintain good relationships with family, but we don't have many relatives nearby. Basically, I suggest exercise and friendships...and this site.

Yes, there are many of us dealing with IT. You can read some of my posts. My husband was officially diagnosed in early 2023 but changes were apparent before that. We will be married 52 years next year. This is sad to see our husband lose his ability to think for himself and engage as the partner we once had.
I savor the good times, forgive myself for exploding at times, and hug him at least once a day no matter what.
Good that you have a therapist. I have one for me once a week and my husband has a neuropsychologist who calls him once a week. I get in on those sessions and it’s often marriage counseling.
Hang in there and stay connected here.
I found this sight when one day I was taking a walk and just sobbing. I searched “my husband has MCI..” and found this to be soothing and helpful.
I hope you find some peace in knowing there are many of us with you in the same boat.

I'm in the same boat as you. Make sure you are practicing self-care, that helps me a lot. I keep a journal where I can safely vent, here too.
Even though our children don't live close by, I gave them blank books customized that are titled, 'Questions for my Dad'. I let them know they should start writing down things they want to know from him, while he can still answer. He responds when they share the questions with him.
My hobby (baking, and watching baking shows) helps relieve stress, too.
Virtual hug!

I’m sorry to hear what you had to go through. What a blessing you were to your wife.you are correct life is not fair. As a Rabbi wrote in his book “When Bad Things Happen to Good People”, there is no one above sprinkling fairness dust on us all, or something to that effect. I always try to keep that in mind. The minister who married us is cared for & lost a wife to brain cancer & talked to us about that. He said being a minister did not protect him or his wife from these things that happen & talked to us about prayer. At the time we felt bad for him but it didn’t really sink in at the time. Thanks again for sharing your story.

Thank you for your kind words. My decline has been multifactorial but the icing on the cake was certainly my husband’s MCI I’m dealing with. I don’t know that I will ever be the person I was pre-pandemic & my husband’s pre- MCI. Both changed my life tremendously & not for the good. I’m sorry for complaining & it’s not my intent to use this as a woe is me bitch site. I’m interested in knowing how others deal with what feels like a slow loss of the person they were married to.

I’m a writer and journaler also. I have journals since 1987. I seldom look back but I want to go back and see the good, the bad, and the ugly. This is a chapter I never thought we would have.

I have a similar situation, though no actual diagnosis besides short term memory loss and definite mood changes. We have been happily married for 55 years, so I really empathize with your feelings of loss, sadness and grief as you realize things are changing. The hardest part for me is not knowing what to expect for the future. I also went to a therapist and that helped me a lot. Sending you my caring thoughts for you.

@tryingtimes10 You can always use this site as a crying blanket or pity party. Other members will join soon and give you their experiences and helpful tips. Being married 52 years is so momentous that you really do want to share and it’s hard when there’s no one to share with. Just do the best you can.
Do you ever think of moving to assisted living ? You don’t need but he may and it will take some of the burden off you.