My Life With Jim – Page 10 – Dementia Makes A Strange Bedfellow

Merry-Go-Round of Childhood Tales

June 21, 2021 Wife of JimProgression

Recently, Jim has begun a weird merry-go-round of circular storytelling. He starts telling me of something that happened when he was younger, he comes to the close of the incident and then starts the same story back up again. A five minute story becomes half an hour. It seems to be worse when he …. Read More

Changing Sleep Patterns

June 18, 2021June 17, 2021 Wife of JimCopingchanging sleep patterns due to dementia sleeplessness due to dementia

One of the symptoms of dementia I’ve been dreading is the change in sleep patterns. Jim already requires less sleep than I do and now he has trouble staying awake during the day and staying asleep at night. He’s not interested in exercise, and busy days have him snoozing before supper. (see the Alzheimer’s …. Read More

Hard Question To Answer Honestly

June 14, 2021 Wife of JimCoping Progression

My life with Jim has changed drastically since the beginning of his decline due to dementia. Every day tips the balance more toward being a caregiver and away from being a wife. I see it clearly but Jim is for the most part oblivious (for which I am thankful). Unfortunately, he isn’t completely unaware. …. Read More

Abandoned

June 11, 2021June 13, 2021 Wife of JimCoping Self Careabandoned while caregiving

It’s been a rough couple of weeks and I’ve been felling somewhat abandoned. I also feel like I’m whining again. Which irritates me, because I hate whining, especially when it’s me doing it. So I took a page from last week and found someone else to talk about abandonment. There is a wonderful blog …. Read More

Article by Lisa Raitt: Marriage After Dementia Diagnosis

June 7, 2021June 6, 2021 Wife of JimCoping Self Care

This article in Chatelaine magazine caught my eye over the weekend. Lisa Raitt On Marriage After Her Husband’s Alzheimer’s Diagnosis (msn.com) It made me realize just how lucky I am in the grand scheme of things related to the progress of dementia. Jim was older when he started showing symptoms. He’s much frailer than …. Read More

Fewer Hands Make More Work

June 4, 2021June 3, 2021 Wife of JimProgression

Jim’s decline seemed to have stabilized from last August to the beginning of March. Since then I’m noticing a steady stream of tasks that used to be habit but now he forgets. Every afternoon, he used to prep coffee for the following day. He remembers on average 2-3 times a week now. same with …. Read More

The Stigma

May 31, 2021May 31, 2021 Wife of JimGeneral

The stigma of mental illness has come up a few times over recent months. Highlighted by conversations surrounding the death/care required for relatives living with dementia. I have two aunts, one blood related, one an in-law, a second cousin on the other side of the family and of course my husband Jim – all …. Read More

Hyper-focus

May 28, 2021May 30, 2021 Wife of JimCoping

Over the past few months, as I talk to more people with loved ones afflicted with dementia, it’s become very clear that the disease follows different paths for different people. In some cases, the prevailing symptom is they lose place and time. They scold their adult child for missing curfew. In others, it’s language. …. Read More

It’s Okay To Be sad

May 24, 2021 Wife of JimCoping Grieving

It’s okay to be sad after all your life is being dismantled one brick at a time. Some days bricks are put back in place and it gives you a false sense of hope, only to have it ripped away again, when the next day when it’s two bricks gone instead of just one. …. Read More

Caring For The Caregiver

May 21, 2021 Wife of JimSelf Care

It has come to my attention over the past few days that I’m not doing enough to look after myself. Physically, I feel like crap I can’t fall asleep at night and I’m waking before my alarm in the morning. I’m gaining even more weight, even though I’ve managed to mostly stick with my …. Read More

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