Ruth

GETTING HELP 

June 2009

Thoughts on . . . Getting Help

   In 2005 my husband was diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer's disease.  Strange as this may seem, it was not disturbing or upsetting.  It was a relief!  Because instead of seeing him becoming a confused, grumpy old man we now knew what was happening . . . brain cells were breaking and neural connectors were tangled. The dilemma now was to figure out what to do.  Life was definitely going to be different and the prospects were quite scary.

   Getting Help:  We were fortunate to find out about the Alzheimer Society early on.  This does not happen for everyone!  Getting connected here made it possible to find the information and help we needed. Gaining information about this disease is crucial.  You must know what is happening and what is going to happen.  At the Alzheimer Society, you will:

   Find someone "in the know" to talk to . . . someone willing to listen to problems and willing to share a box of Kleenex and to share information and strategies to cope with the new reality.

Find care givers support group and meet others in the "same boat" . . . It was here that I found out about the CCAC, Adult Day Services and a whole lot of other valuable supportive "stuff".. . such as  . . .

• It's normal to feel lonely when I can no longer have a meaning conversation with my spouse,
• It's normal to have a broken heart and cry
• It's also normal to laugh at some of the funny things that happen
• It's normal for him to get angry and tell me that if I weren't so confused, things would be fine."

Ruth Simmons,

Care Partner