Dutchman, I completely understand how you feel. The "middle" stages are, I think, probably the most difficult for the carer, and there were often times when all that kept me going was telling myself "this won't last forever". But of course, that brought guilt with it! My husband wouldn't go to a day Centre or anything. It is very isolating.
Eventually, as his illness progressed, it actually became easier. He was more content, and just pottered about and we sat in armchairs side by side and watched DVD's, looked at magazines, and I took him out to the shops every day, and for tea and cake. Sadly, this didn't last either. Eventually, he needed full time care in a nursing home, where he thrived for several months before succumbing to aspiration pneumonia.
It's very difficult and can sometimes prove impossible, but you do need to try and get even a couple of hours a week to yourself. Maybe invent an appointment that your wife can't accompany you to, and arrange for someone to stay with her. I hired a man to "help in the garden", which he did, but he was there to keep an eye on my husband. They did a little pottering around the garden, then made themselves tea and snacks, then pottered some more, then made lunch....!
Eventually, as his illness progressed, it actually became easier. He was more content, and just pottered about and we sat in armchairs side by side and watched DVD's, looked at magazines, and I took him out to the shops every day, and for tea and cake. Sadly, this didn't last either. Eventually, he needed full time care in a nursing home, where he thrived for several months before succumbing to aspiration pneumonia.
It's very difficult and can sometimes prove impossible, but you do need to try and get even a couple of hours a week to yourself. Maybe invent an appointment that your wife can't accompany you to, and arrange for someone to stay with her. I hired a man to "help in the garden", which he did, but he was there to keep an eye on my husband. They did a little pottering around the garden, then made themselves tea and snacks, then pottered some more, then made lunch....!