I also care for my husband on my own, he is 65 & was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 8 years ago. His dementia has slow progressed and I now have to shave him and help with washing and dressing. Our situation has been made worse because he has an Illeostomy bag following bowel cancer surgery five years ago. Every morning I have to change his bag & assist with emptying it 6 to 7 times a day. I also have to wake him a couple of times in the night to empty his bag. Caring is very difficult & lonely. I really miss having somebody to help me make decisions. I find it very frustrating that his family do not understand or appreciate what I have to deal with on a daily basis. Some days I find it very difficult to cope and just cry. On the outside I am a happy person holding things together, but on the inside I am a complete mess especially when I think about the future.
Dementia Support Line
Pauline
saysI also care for my husband on my own, he is 65 & was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 8 years ago. His dementia has slow progressed and I now have to shave him and help with washing and dressing. Our situation has been made worse because he has an Illeostomy bag following bowel cancer surgery five years ago. Every morning I have to change his bag & assist with emptying it 6 to 7 times a day. I also have to wake him a couple of times in the night to empty his bag. Caring is very difficult & lonely. I really miss having somebody to help me make decisions. I find it very frustrating that his family do not understand or appreciate what I have to deal with on a daily basis. Some days I find it very difficult to cope and just cry. On the outside I am a happy person holding things together, but on the inside I am a complete mess especially when I think about the future.