About one third of the adult population is either a dementia caregiver/care-partner or has a family member of friend who is a caregiver/care-partner. About 80% of dementia-affected persons are affected by Alzheimer’s Disease. There are several other types of dementia. None of these diseases have a cure — at best, some medicines and lifestyle changes may lengthen someone’s meaningful life. Nearly all such diseases are long in duration, sometimes as little as 3–4 years and other times as long as 10–20 years. Most families cannot afford professional care or can only afford limited care. Hence, many caregivers are family members who devote years of frequently nearly 24/7 care of their loved one. I know these things because, as some of you know, my wife — love of my life and life partner since she was in junior-high school — has Alzheimer’s.
Tom Mosher
Recently, Hulda Bridgeman, shared with me a memoir she has written after the death of her husband, due to Lewy Body dementia. His affliction, beginning from a very mild stage to death, lasted almost 25 years. I share her memoir, Experiences in Dementia Caregiving, with you. Share it as you like in hopes that it will help you, a friend or family member.
Take me to a PDF of Experiences in Dementia Caregiving.