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Dealing with a Spouse with a “Mild Cognitive Impairment”
Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: 41 minutes ago | Replies (499)Comment receiving replies
@snedakerj I am right there with you. My husband and I have almost identical experiences as you are. However my husband thinks I am at his service 24/7. He needs me constantly whether it is questions or asking me to get something for him to yelling questions when I am in a completely different part of the house. I too am taking care of a 2 story home and paying bills. Everything is so overwhelming I almost think I am the one who is sick. How do we make it through all of this?
Replies to "@snedakerj I am right there with you. My husband and I have almost identical experiences as..."
@jett56
We make it through all of this by having faith, trying to find gratitude, and by praying, and doing what we have to do for our loved ones because we love them, and want to spend as much time as we can, while they still remember us. I know, I'm at wits end also, trying to show my husband how to use his phone, his PC, the bills, the shopping, just turning a light on or turning the TV on, everything seems to be an interruption, of something he can no longer do, and it's overwhelming to watch, and constantly, have to be in the middle of. Now, the new thing, I think he's forgetting to eat, so now, I'm chasing him constantly on that because he's lost weight. I worry, because of the infusions, I worry, because any potential side effects, I'm afraid to get into an airplane with any effect of the lequembe infusons. I'm trying to just chill, but being a caregiver isn't a chill. I'm not sure what the answer is, but I do know one thing: I'm making myself go out, I walked the mall three times yesterday, finally got a decent night's sleep I was so tired. And that makes me feel better to conquer another day of caregiving.
@jett56 Same situation here. I’m making it through so far by helping my husband as much as I can, encouraging some independence, seeing family and friends and planning time on my own. He seems very content to watch lots of TV during the day so that gives me time to do my own thing at home.
Stay strong and think about the better times. That helps also.
@jett56 This is my situation exactly. I have no privacy and no quiet time when I am home until he falls asleep in front of the tv, which does not always happen. I stay up later than him so I have some time to read or watch tv uninterrupted. If I sleep in more than 30 minutes after he gets up he comes back upstairs and wakes me.
I can leave him for an hour or two during the day but often he will start calling me after about 45 minutes, sometimes several times with the same questions. It is exhausting. I am looking into a companion or senior sitter to be with him when I leave but I fear he will resist. He has no awareness of his memory issues.
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@jett56 Everyone needs at least one day off a week. If you can leave him alone, great. If not, find a senior sitter. During you day off make plans. What do you like to do that makes you smile? Whether it's going to a friend's house, an exercise class, lunch out, an entertainment event, volunteer work or a long walk is immaterial. Just as long as it's something you adore.