Research study about caregiver grief

Ernie123

For those of you who like to read academic studies, this one about recognizing and managing caregiver grief relates to what most  of us in this forum are experiencing.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1533317515602085

Joydean

Ernie, thank you for sharing the very informative article. I did learn from it! I try to read and study all I can about this terrible disease. 

Hope you have a good day! 

Ed1937

Ernie, no time to read it now, but definitely will later. Thanks so much for passing that on. It's something we should all know about.

ElaineD

Every change for the worse in my DHWD creates a sense of loss for me.

And I'm never 'ready' for the next change.

I no longer can reminisce with him about most of our married life (60 years in July).  But he loves to talk on the phone with his old high school buddies and talk about places and events of their shared school days in the 40's and 50's.

Mostly he seems to be 'disappearing'.  He knows he doesn't remember so he says as little as possible.   He has a rather blank expression and doesn't want to be at social events here....he can't socialize that way, in groups.

Tonight he asked when we're going down to dinner.  Dinner isn't served here on Sunday, only lunch.  But he doesn't remember that nor does he remember what day it is.  He asks every single Sunday.  And every time I'm surprised.  

He's only in the middle of the early part of Vascular dementia...which runs in his family.  

And he can do lot of things (like the laundry and the dishes).  But I guess I have 'anticipatory grief'....knowing that this is only going in one direction.

I'm scared and sad.  This forum is a LIFE SAVER for me.   I'm not alone.

And our senior living community has MC right on our campus.  And fabulous staff that take amazing care of all us.  Right now we're in Independent living, and DH is completely mobile and able to care for everything, and even still drives.   And HE is my caretaker. But I still wonder what's next?

ElaineD

​fesk

Thank you for the link. I'll definitely be reading it. I know I struggle with this.

saltom

Thanks so much for posting this.  In addition to the Alz. my DH has suffered from OCD, severe anxiety and dementia since he was about 10 years old.  For several years I attended a NAMI family/caregiver support group that in may ways parallels ALZ.org. The caregiver grieving is relevant to both.  I could have used this information a long time ago.

Pat6177

Ernie, I don’t know that I like reading academic articles but the material is certainly relevant. I’ve been unsettled lately and am realizing that much of it is grief and sorrow. Thanks for the article. I got a few ideas and bookmarked the article so I can reread it as this process continues. Thanks!

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