Find a Friend

I discovered that by finding a friend to share the struggles and decisions of caregiving of my mom and aunt helped tremendously.  At the time I realized Mother was following her sister’s path and developing Alzheimer’s, my neighbor was caring for a great aunt with this disease.

Finding a friend with whom I could discuss Mother’s condition and my struggles with her having this disease and coping with her change of personality was so valuable.  We could chat and laugh and cry as we shared.

My neighbor had a book recommended to her which helped us understand the nature of Alzheimer’s and what was happening to our relatives.  I discovered the more I learned, the more I understood Mother’s actions and found it easier to cope.

The first book we read was Alzheimer’s, a Caregiver’s Guide and Sourcebook by Howard Gruetzner.  Another was The 36-Hour Day by Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabins.