This is a difficult one.
I can't comment for everyone as I'm not a full time carer. Dad looks after Mum (who is 56).
I'm married with a daughter and my own life and that's how I cope. While one part of life is not great (Mum), the other part is. In a way, it's made me appreciate what I have even more. A lovely daughter (most of the time) and a lovely husband (also most of the time
I appreciate all the good times spent with Mum now, however small. Seeing her laugh probably means more to me now had she not had AD (laughter is never taken for granted anymore).
Although Mum isn't the way she used to be, she's still my Mum, I love her to pieces and always will. It breaks my heart to know she won't see my daughter grown up, however sometimes they're in a little club together like 2 naughty little girls which is also lovely to see. I guess you just take the good with the bad and try to cope the best you can.
You don't say who it is that has AD, but anytime you need to get anything off your chest or ask a question, there's a very supportive bunch around here. Post again,
Take care,
Mandy