I am new to talking point and I am pleased to say that I am finding the responses to the two posts that I have made very useful, and my thanks go to the people who have responded.
One of the areas that does not appear to be talked about too much is the emotional hurt that one feels watching the person you love disintegrate before your very eyes whilst they travel on their Alzheimer's journey.
Everyone involved in providing support for carers always says that the carer needs to take time out from caring in order to recharge their batteries and I fully understand the need to do this. However I find that I am able to cope with all the extra physical work that being a full time carer requires what I have difficulty with is coping with the emotional impact when I see my life long partner, we met when we were 13, slowly being lost to me.
At times she does not know who I am or that we are married. Our relationship is now so different with my partner being totally reliant on my support, which I am only to keen to give, but it is now such a one sided partnership.
I find it very distressing to find her struggling with basic things and knowing that each day she appears to be slipping further away from me.
I am sure it is the same for everyone and the only way to cope is to concentrate on the NOW and try not to think to far ahead.
One of the areas that does not appear to be talked about too much is the emotional hurt that one feels watching the person you love disintegrate before your very eyes whilst they travel on their Alzheimer's journey.
Everyone involved in providing support for carers always says that the carer needs to take time out from caring in order to recharge their batteries and I fully understand the need to do this. However I find that I am able to cope with all the extra physical work that being a full time carer requires what I have difficulty with is coping with the emotional impact when I see my life long partner, we met when we were 13, slowly being lost to me.
At times she does not know who I am or that we are married. Our relationship is now so different with my partner being totally reliant on my support, which I am only to keen to give, but it is now such a one sided partnership.
I find it very distressing to find her struggling with basic things and knowing that each day she appears to be slipping further away from me.
I am sure it is the same for everyone and the only way to cope is to concentrate on the NOW and try not to think to far ahead.