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Husband (43) showing signs of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): Anyone?

Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: Jul 9 11:00am | Replies (36)
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@uncertainsoyoung

Thank you for sharing a more positive experience. I really appreciate it. How old are you guys if you don’t mind me asking. Also can anyone recommend online therapists ? One for our 9 year old and one for marriage counseling specializing in issues surrounding dementia and changing sexuality.

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Replies to "Thank you for sharing a more positive experience. I really appreciate it. How old are you..."
FWW | @fwentz | Jul 16, 2020

I'm 81 and Judy is 79. We just celebrated our 56th wedding anniversary last week! I grew up on farms in Chickasaw County, Iowa and she grew up around Dayton, Ohio. I always say "Country boy meets city girl! And it looks like this just might work out okay. So far, so good!

I have read your comments and my heart goes out so much to you and your husband. You both have been through so much. I am often amazed at what individuals are able to do and persevere.

I have benefitted from my caregivers support group and one of the things that I learned there that has helped me was the idea that if I want to be of good help to my loved one, I really need to focus on taking good care of myself. Often the caregiver gets ill or dies before the care receiver. Putting that negative idea aside, it's still true that as a caregiver you have lots of stressful things going on in your life right now, and it's important that you take good care of yourself (physically, mentally, emotionally, etc.) I realize I'm saying a little more than I really know right now but I hope some of this might be helpful to you.

Another idea that I've picked up over the years is that caregivers often feel guilty about something they did or failed to do. In my case, I was walking with Judy along a pebbly lane and she fell and broke her hip about 4 years ago. I really felt guilty about that because I was the one responsible for protecting her at that time. Later someone (our support group moderator) said to me and the others "We know one thing for sure, you are doing the best you can for your loved one. That's all you can do. Cut yourself some slack, like you would for a friend it that same situation."

I don't know of any online therapy resources but I will say that I have benefitted a great deal from therapy that I am getting for several years as a result of contacting the Aging and Long Term Care agency in my state. They recommended a counselor who takes military veterans and he has helped me a great deal over many years at no cost to me.

I wish the best for you and your husband.

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