My husband is in fairly early stage Alzheimer's (he's recently had to give up driving) and I know I am still very lucky, but it is wearing being his virtually only companion. I used to be able to go away on my own for a night about once a week but I think that will have to stop soon, which will be a bit of a life saver gone. Not that he's that mental yet, well, you know, we can still have a fairly normal conversation, but quite dependent. I succeed in finding quite a lot of things to go and see and do, even capture some friends to come and visit or do things with (hope they aren;t put off!) but always with me. I read and hear about support groups etc but it seems mostly the beneficiary gets accompanied to them by their companion, so one doesn't get any time off.
We do have children, our son lives not far away but he has 2 small children. He can call in during the day from time to time. Our daughter lives a logn way away, she can't help a lot. And I don't want their lives to be too affected.
My husband is "high functioning" as it seems to be called, he's an ex academic and he's never been at all patient with most people. Perhaps the heart of the issue is that I can't really expect groups of 'normal' people to assimilate him, at least without me along, and I;m not sure he would accept companionship of others similarly affected. So potentially all good fun for him but only a warm feeling for me that I've found some entertainment.
I read all the advice about being patient with the sufferer and I certainly do my best but the thread about how to deal with unkind remarks certainly resonated. When I read about coping strategies and all the ways one should behave I just feel that the carer's place is in the wrong. I just feel I'm gradually being sucked into that role with no space left for me.
We do have children, our son lives not far away but he has 2 small children. He can call in during the day from time to time. Our daughter lives a logn way away, she can't help a lot. And I don't want their lives to be too affected.
My husband is "high functioning" as it seems to be called, he's an ex academic and he's never been at all patient with most people. Perhaps the heart of the issue is that I can't really expect groups of 'normal' people to assimilate him, at least without me along, and I;m not sure he would accept companionship of others similarly affected. So potentially all good fun for him but only a warm feeling for me that I've found some entertainment.
I read all the advice about being patient with the sufferer and I certainly do my best but the thread about how to deal with unkind remarks certainly resonated. When I read about coping strategies and all the ways one should behave I just feel that the carer's place is in the wrong. I just feel I'm gradually being sucked into that role with no space left for me.