Stories from Caregivers: Colleen from GEORGIA
GA
Colleen
FROM GEORGIA
What's next? That's what caregiving for an Alzheimer's spouse is all about. First, noticing something wrong - what's next? Doctor visits and testing and finally the diagnosis. Dan retired in August of 2010 and by December we were scheduling appointments. What's next? Learning to live with the knowledge and heartache of an incurable, degenerative, fatal illness: Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease. What's next? After barely a year after diagnosis, he could no longer be alone and I quit my job of 22 years to care for him. We were together 24/7 from then on, with the exception of 2 separate days I had to be away from home and hired a friend to come stay. What's next? Learning to be a good caregiver, learning patience, learning the tips & tricks necessary to care for someone with dementia. Watching as my beloved is slowly lost to this disease and leaving only a shell of himself. Learning how to change and bathe someone who can no longer walk or stand. What's next? A short 4 years after his first doctor visit to see what was wrong comes the inevitable end. Offering comfort as he slips away, spending the final hours alone together, then dealing with the details afterwards. What's next? The grieving process, of course, but soon afterwards comes the sense of being lost, no goals, no ambition, no plans, nothing to do with my time now that I am no longer someone's wife or caregiver. I return to the Alz.org message boards where we spouses support each other, hoping I can offer some advice, comfort, anything to another spouse who finds themselves on the journey to Planet Alzheimer's.
