Ginger, as a caregiver to a spouse facing this affliction, I’m reminded that each caregiver has to adjust the response to what she/he knows about the relationship and each person. We have to learn to trust ourselves—and it’s extremely hard to do! We feel painful stress because we can’t fix everything. In my situation, I’ve learned that a major goal for us must be to keep our interactions as calm as possible. Sometimes that has involved protections from troublesome personalities who may or may not realize their intimidation toward others. Sometimes it involves overriding a bad choice from a physician who doesn’t know the patient’s history. It’s a very hard journey for each of us. The trials are unexpected:the caregiver wakes up with a horrific migraine and the spouse can’t grasp the need for her to have respite from sound and light till the medication can take effect. He doesn’t realize what he’s doing. This is life, requiring loving care and extreme patience.
@rozez is not alone in these struggles and feelings. I hope we can encourage and comfort one another.