The Caregiver You Love Needs Help!

This episode is a message for the caregiver to send to someone else, someone who doesn't know, or doesn't understand, the stress the caregiver is going through.

I liken that stress to driving alone, in an old car, up a steep mountain on a narrow, twisting road with no place to pull off. There are no guardrails. The caregiver's spouse is at the top of that mountain, dying. 

 I created this episode especially for the caregiver whose spouse has Alzheimer's or other form of dementia. While statistics vary, approximately 40% of family dementia caregivers die first -- meaning, the caregiver dies before the person with dementia dies. Stress can be deadly. 

If you are not a caregiver, but you love someone who is, you might think of the caregiver as a strong person, someone who can "handle it." Don't be fooled. Many caregivers are simply too proud to ask for help. 

In this episode, I share some of the stressful situations I confronted in caring for my husband. He died of Alzheimer's. I also offer ways to help the caregiver you love. 

I also invite listeners to contact me via email or voice mail (go to https://myspousehasdementia.com) and let me know what obstacles you face in trying to help the caregiver you love.