Sad Love Stories Told by Alzheimer Spouses in Monterey, CA
The Monterey Herald ran an article Sunday entitled "A Marriage Robbed By Alzheimer's about a recently released novel "Jan's Story: Love Lost to the Long Goodbye of Alzheimer's." It's a touching story told by CBS correspondent Barry Peterson who struggled with the fact that his wife Jan Chorlton developed early-onset Alzheimer's at age 55.
Being a caregiver to a spouse with Alzheimer's is "incurably lonely" he writes. He spoke of considering taking his own life when his wife no longer knew who he was. He eventually began dating again, but struggled with the fact that some friends thought he would burn in hell for doing so while she was still alive.
The article also talks about Sandra Day O'Conner's husband. The jurist was the first female member of the Supreme Court, which she served on from 1981 until her retirement in 2006. She had a life-changing learning experience when her husband, suffering from Alzheimer's and placed into an assisted living center, forgot who she was and fell in love with another woman.
Both stories are tragic, and although Peterson had a difficult time dealing with some who felt like he abandoned his wife, his advice was sound. He said that he felt there had to be some point for him to be in the relationship, and that once she had mentally left the relationship he had to move on.
Sandra Day O'Conner also moved on. His happiness is a relief to her, she told a reporter in 2007. I've written many times on my blog about the trials and tribulations of dealing with Alzheimer's, most recently stressing how important it is for family caregivers to admit they need help and seek it.
I have Clients all over the county, from Salinas and Seaside to Carmel, Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach, so I see all different walks of life. One consistent theme, however, is that those dealing with a family member who can no longer take care of themselves often create a great deal of stress for themselves by constantly worrying and working too many hours between their regular job, caregiving, and other commitments.
Some even end up in the hospital, which is not only a horrible fate for the family caregiver, but can spell disaster for the senior being cared for if there is no one to immediately step in and handle their affairs. Unfortunately, this sometimes leads to them being placed in an assisted living center or another facility. My company strives to give seniors the best quality of life possible and remain independent and in their own home as long as possible. In order for this to happen, family members need respite to take care of themselves.
http://www.montereyherald.com/ci_15652963?IADID=Search-http://www.montereyherald.com-www.montereyherald.com
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-11-12-court_N.htm
http://familyinhomecaregiving.com/blog/
http://familyinhomecaregiving.com/family-caregivers-put-under-incredible-stress/
Being a caregiver to a spouse with Alzheimer's is "incurably lonely" he writes. He spoke of considering taking his own life when his wife no longer knew who he was. He eventually began dating again, but struggled with the fact that some friends thought he would burn in hell for doing so while she was still alive.
The article also talks about Sandra Day O'Conner's husband. The jurist was the first female member of the Supreme Court, which she served on from 1981 until her retirement in 2006. She had a life-changing learning experience when her husband, suffering from Alzheimer's and placed into an assisted living center, forgot who she was and fell in love with another woman.
Both stories are tragic, and although Peterson had a difficult time dealing with some who felt like he abandoned his wife, his advice was sound. He said that he felt there had to be some point for him to be in the relationship, and that once she had mentally left the relationship he had to move on.
Sandra Day O'Conner also moved on. His happiness is a relief to her, she told a reporter in 2007. I've written many times on my blog about the trials and tribulations of dealing with Alzheimer's, most recently stressing how important it is for family caregivers to admit they need help and seek it.
I have Clients all over the county, from Salinas and Seaside to Carmel, Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach, so I see all different walks of life. One consistent theme, however, is that those dealing with a family member who can no longer take care of themselves often create a great deal of stress for themselves by constantly worrying and working too many hours between their regular job, caregiving, and other commitments.
Some even end up in the hospital, which is not only a horrible fate for the family caregiver, but can spell disaster for the senior being cared for if there is no one to immediately step in and handle their affairs. Unfortunately, this sometimes leads to them being placed in an assisted living center or another facility. My company strives to give seniors the best quality of life possible and remain independent and in their own home as long as possible. In order for this to happen, family members need respite to take care of themselves.
http://www.montereyherald.com/ci_15652963?IADID=Search-http://www.montereyherald.com-www.montereyherald.com
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-11-12-court_N.htm
http://familyinhomecaregiving.com/blog/
http://familyinhomecaregiving.com/family-caregivers-put-under-incredible-stress/
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