I guess I was fortunate that I lived with my grandparents when I was a senior in high school (50-years ago). They were both in their late 70's and were in their routine, told the same stories over and over, and there was no reason to challenge them or correct them. They loved me and I loved them. They appreciated that I did 'chores' for them. And didn't seem to upset when I'd come home at 2am on a Saturday night.

My wife was a valedictorian in high school, finished college on a work scholarship in three years, and had a 140+ IQ, and still is pretty fluent in Mandarin Chinese, French, and Spanish. A few years ago when I was talking to my physician and stressed out, not knowing the real reason, he asked how 'Deb was doing?' I replied, "Not good, its like she went from a 140 IQ to 100." (I didn't tell him that she can't 'learn' to turn on the TV, operate a computer, doesn't know what day or year it is, doesn't remember that we have been together for 20-years, and a dozen other mis-memory things she does). He instantly said, "Sounds like Frontotemporal dementia (FTD)."

But once I realized I was first, 'a caregiver' and adopted the role of living with a 'grand-parent,' a lot of the stress and 'wanting her to understand' went away. I always check stove burners and locks on the front door, and am always turning off lights. One benefit is I now have "One hour Martinizing" (the Washing Machine and Dryer is running most of the day). It is lonely and I'm working on that.