My husband Jim (74) was diagnosed with brain atrophy a couple of years ago. We have no children and no relatives, it is just us. Jim was a mathematician, extremely intelligent and very active hobby sailor but since being diagnosed with Type II Diabetes nearly 20 years ago and a successful operation for bowel cancer 16 years ago, his health has been in decline. He is developing cataracts and will eventually have them removed. He has developed a slow shuffling walk and is a bit unsteady on his feet. He refuses to admit he has any problems at all (although he does admit he cannot remember anything) and will not use any sort of walking aid.
He has become very picky about food and doesn't eat well, it is difficult to eat out like we used to because he leaves so much and it is a bit embarrassing, not to say a waste of money. He tries very hard to do things but looses concentration easily, he mostly sits in a chair either watching TV or sleeping. He does still have a sense of humour though , because he said that at least all the repeats on TV don't affect him has he can't remember how many times he may have seen a program. I do everything around the house, care for him and look after a huge garden. I would love to move to a house without a garden but the thought of the stress of moving and the stress of moving Jim puts me off at present
At the moment I am managing to cope, but I can see the writing on the wall. He has good days but today wasn't one of them! I am sorry that my first post was such a depressed one, but I badly needed to talk to someone and I know I am far from alone in my troubles.
He has become very picky about food and doesn't eat well, it is difficult to eat out like we used to because he leaves so much and it is a bit embarrassing, not to say a waste of money. He tries very hard to do things but looses concentration easily, he mostly sits in a chair either watching TV or sleeping. He does still have a sense of humour though , because he said that at least all the repeats on TV don't affect him has he can't remember how many times he may have seen a program. I do everything around the house, care for him and look after a huge garden. I would love to move to a house without a garden but the thought of the stress of moving and the stress of moving Jim puts me off at present
At the moment I am managing to cope, but I can see the writing on the wall. He has good days but today wasn't one of them! I am sorry that my first post was such a depressed one, but I badly needed to talk to someone and I know I am far from alone in my troubles.