Remember the saying "It takes a village to raise a child"? That is how I feel about living with a victim of Alzheimer's and dementia too.
Since I still have to work full-time, Bob and "Al" attend an all-day Adult Day Center program five days a week. I truly don't know what I would do without the caregivers in that program.They know he thinks he works there, so they help him feel useful and needed.
Then there are my close friends. These caring individuals volunteer to pick Bob up when I have to work late, embrace us in our small bible study group, and feel like family because they're always available when I need to bend an ear.
My daughters were 16 and 14 when Bob was diagnosed, and they both step up to the plate and do what they need to do to help me with their Dad and "Al." They have had to grow up quickly, and I am so very proud of them.
But not everyone is as lucky to have a village around them.
We need to bring more awareness to the struggles we have as caregivers; we need to be willing share how we feel.
Who can you tell; and who do you have that will listen?