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Im 36 and my girlfriend is 43, she suffers from factor five blood liden, diabetes and epilepsy....I've been with my girlfriend for two years on October 30th.. She had a stroke only 7 months after we got together. July 11th 2024. She's paralyzed on the left side of her body and amputee on the right leg. Bed ridden, I've been her FULL TIME caregiver since the day it happened. I never left the hospital and went with her to rehab. I can say its been the HARDEST thing, mentally, emotionally, and physically, that ive EVER done... But i only let my shower witness the overwhelming ache that its causing, i dont want my sweet girl to feel as if shes a burden after all shes gone through.. and i still remind her every single day how shes the most beautiful human being ive ever seen. So yes, WE DO, VERY MUCH SO, EXIST.🙏🙏 God bless everyone
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Reply to CaregiverDan89
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I see husband caregivers all the time at my husband’s memory care facility. One visits every day and brings their dog. Another brings other
members of the family to see his wife. These husbands have done the best they could when their wives still lived at home. They knew when it was time for their wives to enter professional care.
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Reply to Fawnby
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Not the only one, clearly. When my wife was diagnosed with Dementia due to ALZ at the age of sixty, it was a devastating diagnosis. She was a critical care registered nurse her whole adult life, smart and devoted and driven. It took six years for this disease to end her life, and it was a very rough journey. I was with her every step of the way, every day and every minute. Kept her home, and just dealt with it, and thank goodness that I had the mental and physical strength to do so. Home hospice came in to help the final week, and maybe I should have had them become involved sooner, but the decisions regarding health issues can be confusing. If the love is there, it is amazing what you can do. When she took her last breath, two years ago, it was a relief that her suffering was over. But, I still miss her every day.
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Daughterof1930 Sep 7, 2025
Your journey showed others how you lived out the marriage vows, much as my dad did his. What a gift you were to your precious wife, I’m sure she felt your love always
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Not exactly what you’re asking….my mother lived four years completely unable to do anything physically at all, in a nursing home, a two person assist for everything. My dad was present every day, twice a day, for hours each time. He ensured her care was good, he took her outside, he made sure her clothing was clean, matched, and stylish. He helped with feeding before that was lost, and took her to doctor’s appointments and activities. When she neared the end, he sat and held her hand for hours. He demonstrated the meaning of the vows he’d taken fifty plus years prior. So yes, husbands do provide care, including at the end of life. Perhaps they aren’t as often recognized or as apt to seek support, but they certainly exist
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Reply to Daughterof1930
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My father is taking care of my mother. She has dementia, diabetes and a suprapubic catheter. He is wonderful with her. Honestly, More than I would be able to do. I worry he is overwhelmed but he will not have it any other way. His commitment is very admirable.
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Reply to AMZebbC
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I recall several men that have posted questions and answered questions.
I think (oops here I go with a generalization..) men tend to not "share" as much as women do. Even though this is an anonymous forum it may still be difficult.
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Reply to Grandma1954
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Dynamite Sep 7, 2025
You are correct, I tend not to share much but ready today.
I’m 78, wife 80, married 60 years this month and I suspected dementia 8/2015, while driving alone 120 miles from daughter’s home. Twice crying hard sitting along I-5. Burst into tears when my daughter opened the door, I said I’m not getting in Amtrak, forget going to my class reunion. She thought I couldn’t leave Mom so never told her my thoughts suspecting dementia. My Mother had no physical problems and died from dementia under my care in my home at age 86. Read this forum daily, thinking I should reply, ask questions or give my opinion. We, (daughter wife and myself) attend two events monthly Alzheimer’s Tennessee. Attended caregiver meeting June, July and August. Face to face listening to caregivers was to emotionally draining for me. Seeing and hearing in person what caregivers experience was a negative experience for me. Especially the male caregiver in his 50’s who’s wife suffering from early onset dementia. Ten years, 8/2025 a long time but a flood of tears stopped me on the interstate again. I am so blessed to have a daughter who is very knowledgeable, available any time my wife has issues or I go out if state meeting old friends or family events. My wife has no physical problems and on no prescription medications. This is rare at age 80 so Geriatric doctor specializes in dementia care only prescribed alcohol to control anxiety, burst of anger, screaming and swearing. We know the benefits of wine and have always had a glass with supper. We start with 1/2 glass and seldom need additional. She learned to self medicate, really. At breakfast my wife said I didn’t want to wake you to ask so had wine and walked and walked until calmed down. She was so proud of herself. During daytime she asks for wine when anxiety gets bad and not able to think or be in control. My wife prefers not to leave home, her safe place. She will walk alone most AM’s in our neighborhood without fear. She is comfortable home alone during daylight hours if I text every few hours and there is no thunderstorm. Until this month we never felt her pattern of behavior fit criteria identifying with any type of dementia. My daughter and I attended a symposium for medical students. Finding Behavioral-variant Frontotemporal Dementia. My daughter and I decided to study extensively this new material and then compared notes. We conclude 100% identifies symptoms.
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My dad was my mom's caregiver for the last three years (post-stroke) of her life. I was amazed at how he stepped up and did so much for her. Much of that time, Mom was on hospice care. For my sister and I, it was a blessing in that we had more eyes on mom regularly. I talked to dad every night at 7:00 pm (before her stroke, I talked to mom a few times a week at 7:00 pm, but she lost her words). Dad kept me updated on the day, any details I needed to know, and then I relayed it all to my sister. At the end, she developed a UTI that went undiagnosed for three weeks. That put her in a mental hospital first, then a regular hospital, and finally in a nursing home where she passed at 89.

You might like to check out a YouTube channel called John and Heather's Dementia Journey. John became Heather's caregiver after her diagnosis. She was well aware of what her future held, but decided with John to document their life. In March of this year, it finally became safer for Heather to be in a memory care home. He has continued to document her inevitable decline, and only recently began acknowledging that she may be nearing the end. Watching his vidoes, so often I can related to what he is telling us. I'm sure it will strike a chord with you as well.
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Reply to graygrammie
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OldCaptain cared for his beloved wife Luz for over a decade in home, and she had FTD I believe. He did so lovingly and devotedly, not to mention single handedly. Captain was, and probably still is, an amazing man. He carved out a new normal for Luz, letting her sleep naked because the adult briefs aggravated her. And he cleaned up the messes every day w/o complaint. After she died, he stopped posting here.

There's another gentleman who posts here, I can't think of his username at the moment, who cared for his wife with dementia at home as well. He's extremely empathetic and well spoken, I know he's helped tons of posters here.

Andiamo, this is your first post. I'm surprised you've never seen men posting about caring for their wives on hospice, bc there are quite a few.

My condolences on your difficult situation. God bless you and give you strength during such a sad time.
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Reply to lealonnie1
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lealonnie1 Sep 7, 2025
***Correction.....OldSailor was his name, not OldCaptain****
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While it is rare indeed for a husband to care give in the home until the end of their wife's life, especially when she has dementia, it is hopefully not unheard of.
I know that ALL of the men in my caregivers support group ended up placing their wives as their dementia progressed in facilities as they were not about to deal with their wives incontinence and wandering. However there are also a lot of women that don't/can't deal with those issues as well, as caregiving is not for everyone.
More women by nature tend to be able to care give for their spouse longer in the home than most men in my opinion, thus probably why you don't hear about too many husbands on here that stick it out with their wife with dementia at home.
We all have to do what works best for all involved, and often that will mean placing a loved one in a facility.
If you are one of the rare birds that is still caring for your wife with dementia at home....God bless you.
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Reply to funkygrandma59
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Why don't you join the "Alzheimers/Dementia Caregiver's Support Group." There are plenty of husbands who are caregivers in that online group. Everyone there can empathize because they have all gone through what you are going through. You can ask questions, receive support, and VENT without judgement. Look for "Thom" in that group, for some empathy, as he is going through something similar to your situation.
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