Caring for a Spouse

Caring for my husband with dementia presents almost daily challenges. Charlie's latest hygiene habit is as perplexing as it is frustrating.

Charlie has resumed one of the unhealthy habits he first picked up during his days as a fighter pilot. With dementia, there is so little left that gives him any pleasure.

Not all VA hospitals are created equal, but we are fortunate enough to live within 15 minutes of a top-notch facility.

Many dementia patients reach a point where they can't separate fact from fiction.

A caregiver’s story: I recently found out the hard way that a vacation with a dementia patient isn’t much of a vacation after all.

I'm sure you've heard that soldiers in the field resist becoming close to their buddies, the reason being that they either rotate out or worse, become KIA's. Living in a 55+ community has the same pitfalls.

Charlie has had several falls in the past few months. One way to prevent falls is to do strength training exercises, but Charlie won't go to the classes any more. Do I fight with him daily?

At age seventy-seven, I had a knee replacement. I am using every tool available to assure that I keep my teeth. Now, I am on the hunt for a hearing aid(s).

I, like most caregivers, need a sounding board to let off steam. It's either sound off to some anonymous computer screen or sound off to our loved ones. I choose the computer, and you, as the lesser of two evils.

I don’t resent Charlie for his lack of empathy. It’s just one more thing I have to face as a dementia caregiver. When he isn’t himself I just try to remember the man he used to be, the man I fell in love with.

A personal story about the struggles of adjusting to the changes in daily life while caring for a loved one with dementia.

Being a caregiver, challenges you to take a closer look at what you really need in your life

Having a "keep him busy" plan is the key to my success with Bob and his Alzheimer's.

Living with Alzheimer's and Frontal Lobe (Frontotemporal) Dementia can teach you things that will change your life--and they are not all bad.

Remember the saying "It takes a village to raise a child"? That is how I feel about living with a victim of Alzheimer's and dementia.

Dealing with "Al" can be so overwhelming; sometimes I just want someone (or something) to blame for Bob's disease.

My husband is turning 80 years old soon. When we met 14 years ago we felt like kids. Now things couldn't be more different.

Charlie's mental abilities are deteriorating before my eyes and it's getting harder to cope with his decline. Some days I'm just thankful that he can still feed himself.

I have been a caregiver for my husband with Alzheimer’s and Frontotemporal Dementia for six years. I feel as if I am living with two men.

Dementia and age related decline have impacted my husband's ability to drive. I'm dreading taking him to have his driver's license renewed. He only has to pass a vision test, but it's his coordination, reflexes and decision making that are the problem.