Caring for a Spouse

  • Caring for a Loved One with Dementia: It Takes a Village

    After only a few weeks with his daughter, Charlie is now back home. Although he is happy to be back, providing all of his care without the VA's help has been a challenge for me. I feel for caregivers who have limited or no help on this journey.

    11 Comments
  • Hospitalization and the Dementia Patient

    Charlie has been in the hospital for a couple of weeks with endocarditis. This ordeal was complicated further by his dementia, causing intense confusion and hallucinations. Only time will tell if his mental state will improve along with his health.

    5 Comments
  • Celine Dion: Singer, Spousal Caregiver, Example of Strength

    Celine Dion's husband, René Angélil, battled throat cancer for 15 years. Dion shares her personal experiences of caring for and supporting him and discusses how she stayed strong in spite of such dire circumstances.

    1 Comment
  • Testing the VA's Inpatient Care Services

    Charlie has been having some more health issues lately, which landed him in the hospital. We still aren't sure what's wrong, but the VA medical team has been proactive and thorough with administering tests and potential treatments.

    0 Comments
  • The Home-Based VA Care Program

    Charlie recently fell ill, but we had a difficult time determining what was wrong. Our team from the Home-Based VA Care Program was punctual, determined, and considerate throughout the entire process, and for that I am grateful.

    39 Comments
  • Am I a Caregiver? Defining the Family Caregiver Role

    Many individuals struggle to accept the label of “family caregiver,” but fully embracing this role increases our chances of succeeding in it.

    5 Comments
  • Help is Available for Veterans through the VA

    After one stint of my husband refusing to bathe for six weeks, I finally admitted to myself and his VA doctor that I needed some help at home. This is our incredible experience with the VA’s home-based care programs.

    15 Comments
  • We Learn to Accept or Ignore the Things Our Patients Say and Do

    A dementia patient's idiosyncrasies can be rather puzzling. As caregivers, we must learn to go with the flow and pick our battles carefully.

    9 Comments
  • Dementia Makes Even Simple Decisions Difficult for Caregivers

    Charlie has developed serious dental problems, so now I have to decide which treatment he should get. Do I go for the costly surgery that lasts longer or the more affordable option that could break down in a few years?

    24 Comments
  • Old Memories Last the Longest

    Charlie's memories of flying in WWII are still fresh for him, yet he can't remember who his grandson is. When someone has dementia, their oldest memories often last the longest.

    4 Comments
  • Learning to Ask for Help When Dementia Care Becomes Too Much

    I had trouble learning how to ask for help when Charlie's dementia care became too much for me to handle.

    25 Comments
  • Dementia and Selective Memory

    The selective memory of those suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's disease can be baffling for caregivers. Here's how I cope with Charlie's memory slips.

    39 Comments
  • Dementia and the Thermostat Wars

    My husband’s dementia keeps convincing him to turn down the thermostat, even though I tell him not to. He means well and I try to keep my patience, but troublesome dementia behaviors like these are still frustrating to deal with.

    180 Comments
  • A Caregiver’s Get-Away: Surprisingly Relaxing

    I just returned from ten days in Florida visiting my family. My get-away was surprisingly relaxing.

    6 Comments
  • This Caregiver Needs a Break

    I haven't been away from Charlie for more than two hours at a time since July of 2013, but this caregiver needs a break.

    11 Comments
  • Dementia is a Scourge

    Charlie used to be a gadget guru, capable of fixing anything. Now, because of his dementia, I have to explain to him how to turn off the TV every night.

    22 Comments
  • Beware of Storing Medications in the House

    Caregivers, be aware of how and where you store medications in your home and around those with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. My husband Charlie recently gave me a fright when he found a bottle of my Advil PM.

    6 Comments
  • 6 Steps to Help You Survive the Holidays While Caregiving

    The holiday season is always stressful, but when you add caregiving to the mix, the season for love and sharing can become almost too much to handle. Here's how Charlie and I cope.

    5 Comments
  • When Do We Stop Medical Intervention?

    Charlie doesn't want to go to the doctor anymore and he refuses to do his rehab. When is it time to stop medical intervention and just try to make our loved ones are as happy and comfortable as possible?

    24 Comments
  • A Trip Down Dementia’s Ever-Darkening Road

    It was a September day in 2008 when my husband and I began our trip down dementia's ever-darkening road.

    10 Comments
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