Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Lou Gehrig’s disease

@allegro I'm so sorry about your husband As a retired nurse my heart sinks for your husband and you .Do you take time for yourself? There is respite care available from nursing agencies that can give you some time for yourself I pray you will find something that can help One thing is have you talked to your Dr. Or social worker from the hospital I'm not aware if the ALS network has anyone that can help or give you suggestions .You have to be strong for your husband but in turn need support for you also Blessings to you

THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND AND SUPPORTIVE WORDS, LIONESS, I HAVE SO MUCH RESPECT FOR YOU NURSES..I KEEP PRAYING FOR A MIRACLE..SUCH A DEVASTATING DISEASE AND SO UNKIND TO ALL INVOLVED.....I AM TRYING TO BE STRONG BUT HAVE ANXIETY ATTACKS EVERY DAY...….THANK GOD FOR ATIVAN...……….

@allegro Its hard on the family God bless you he is your helper

HE FELL AGAIN TODAY FOR THE 13TH TIME SINCE AUGUST...HE IS 88 AND I AM 87,,,,BUT HE WANTS TO STAY AT HOME AS LONG AS HE CAN AND I WANT HIM TO ALSO....BUT IT IS STARTING TOTAKE IT'S TOLL ON MY OLD BODY...…..IT JUST HELPS TO BE ABLE TO WRITE TO SOMEONE WHO CAN RELATE TO THIS DEVASTATING DISEASE...........GOD IS IN CHARGE NOW...….....ALLEGRO

@allegro. I'm so sorry 💔 Are you able to have a caretaker come in for a couple of hours to help you?

MY THREE CHILDREN HELP ALOT AND THINK I SHOULD CONSIDER A NURSING HOME BUT WE HAVE BEEN MARRIED 66 YRS AND I CANT IMAGINE LIFE WITHOUT HIM HERE

@allegro I am so sorry for what you and your husband are going through. I really know nothing about ALS but it sounds devastating. Along with the help of your children, you probably could get a visiting nurse or someone to come in, as @lioness suggested. That might help a bit. There are Medicare benefits for services like that. I am sure it would be extremely difficult to put a loved in a nursing home.
Thoughts and prayers are with you.
JK

THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND WORDS, JK......I HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT ALS STANDS FOR "A LIFE STOLEN", AS THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IS DOES TO ONE AND THEIR FAMILY...…..

@allegro, Making the decision to care for your husband at home or care (nursing) home is a heart-wrenching decision. I'd like to bring a few other caregiver members into this conversation like @julesa @debbraw and @rmftucker. While their partners do not have ALS, they have had to make choices about care for their husbands and for themselves. I hope they'll add their experiences.

You may also be interested in this discussion
– Dealing with anxiety/guilt over spouse in LTC with Dementia https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/dealing-with-anxiety-guilt-over-spouse-in-ltc-with-dementia/

Personally, I think part of your decision has to consider which setting allows you to be the best caregiver to him and to maintain your health and well-being. Naturally, you want to do what is right for him, but you also have to do what is right for you and for both of you in the time you have left together. There is no right answer. But the decision you make will be the one that is right for the information and situation you have in front of you now.

How are doing today?

I have no answers. My husband has mixed dementia and want to keep him home so he can be in a place he loves. It’s so hard watching your best friend slowly deteriorating. It’s too hard to think much about the future so I try to enjoy what I can each day and be thankful for it.