In person support group

Jeanne C.

I had the opportunity to attend a support group meeting this afternoon. I was apprehensive. I had previously attended a meeting at the local modern maturity center. At that meeting all the participants were quite a bit older than me, everyone else was dealing with alzheimer's, and I felt like I had more information than the group leader. I didn't really see a benefit to going back.

Today was SO different. It was a small group (4 plus the leader). Everyone had a spouse or partner on the younger side mostly with FTD. Hearing their stories felt like hearing my own experiences. We talked about the healthcare system, dealing with behaviors, and how we get through the day. The hour and a half flew by and I left recharged. I truly look forward to the next meeting.

So, I guess I just wanted to share that these meetings can provide a lot of good. Oh, thanks @GG06 for recommending it. I hope you can come next time.

GG06

This is so great, @Jeanne C. ! Every in-person support group story I remember reading about is a luke-warm or negative one, so your experience is so good to hear about. Thank you for sharing, and I am determined to make it to one of these meetings!

CStrope

@Jeanne C. I'm so glad you found a group to work with, I feel like I'm a freak on an island most days. This week has been especially hard since we are dealing with extreme constipation. If we can get past this, I know Bob will be easier to deal with, but with what is going on right now I really feel like running away and never coming back!

Jeanne C.

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/195931#Comment_195931

Constipation is the worst. Ralph had it when he first started risperidone. He would be so agitated and angry. I know it was because of how uncomfortable he was. We added daily mirilax for a while and it helped so much.

We're all hanging out on that same island. Maybe we can get someone to bring us a pitcher of margaritas 😉