Husband refuses to move closer to our family!
Hello. My husband was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment in 2024, although I saw symptoms several years before that. He has become extremely withdrawn, forgetful, easily agitated, unable to complete familiar tasks. He just can’t seem to “connect the dots”. Can’t keep his appointments straight. He depends on me for so much. He doesn’t use a cell phone or computer, has difficulty navigating the tv streaming. He food shops and comes home with so much that we don’t need or already have.
We moved to Florida from Vermont in 2014. Immediately after moving here, our grown children began to have children. I quickly began to regret the move. He has refused to move back. He says he loves it here in Florida and will never live there again.When I try to talk to him about it, he yells (screams) and tells me to move and he’ll file for divorce ( we’ve been together over 50 years). We do go there every summer for 3 months and rent a place, which has gotten very expensive. I’m so frustrated. He really shouldn’t be on his own, but I feel so trapped and angry. He’s 80 and I’m 74. We belong near our family.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers: Dementia Support Group.
Connect

We go back every summer for 3 months. The first 10 years we drove up in an RV that we would park at our children’s places. The rv is gone ( thank goodness) and we rented an apartment last summer and are doing the same this summer. It’s expensive. Our sons suggest putting up a tiny house or cabin on one of their properties, but I don’t think I could adjust to living in something that small.
Buying something that could be rented out when we’re not there might be a solution for now. I’m finding the trek up north every year harder and harder. Packing up and leaving our home for 3 months is difficult.
We’re not wealthy people, but maybe renting out a place up north while we’re not there would make it doable. Then when it’s time to move permanently, we’d have a place. Thank you for putting the idea in my head and good luck to you!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
6 Reactions@pml thank you, Yes, the power of God, in helping us sort through life's complexities. I reach out to him every day. Thank you for your kind, sharing post. Best, Karla
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction