Hi this is Jan Sally mum having just registered...not sure what to say just yet
Hi Jan, welcome to TP, you will find this place useful for ideas, advice and definitely empathy as well as sympathy from others in your situation, or was in your situation, or know of the situation.
I only joined here this year (I think as the time has gone by so quickly!). My dad has dementia and, up to 3-4 years ago, my mum was his main carer. I thought she was handling things well, especially as the dementia symptoms were not so strong then as they are now. With hindsight now, I think she was handling the repeating herself and reminding him many times but not all the other stuff like being needlessly tearful over small things, strange requests, etc.
My dad's symptoms now include wandering too, mostly at night. Thankfully most of the time the cold air has 'woken' him where he realises that he shouldn't be outside, goes to a neighbour who then calls one of his kids. We've also have taken other steps which seems to work in but these are personal to him as it was at his request and may not be relevant to you. I suggest you do a search on this topic, there are a few of us who have been through this!
I wish my mum took the step to seek further assistance from her children, carers or websites like this. She was one very much into handling personal matters like this herself, not that she didn't want to admit she needed help, I think she didn't want to 'bother' anyone as her kids live elsewhere, work, own family, etc but we wouldn't have minded, and it is definitely
not a failure to have to call for external assistance either. Enjoy TP!