"Alzheimer's disease and caregiver stress"

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Being a "caregiver," of any kind, is a difficult job for anyone to have to undertake, and the stress that goes along with it can sometimes be incredibly, overwhelming. "I am a caregiver," and I can tell you that there are days I just want the world to stop so I can jump off and go sit in peace and solitude for a few days. You see, my wife has "Alzheimer's disease," and I am her "caregiver." Sadly my wife was diagnosed with "early-onset Alzheimer's disease," when she was only 52 years old. She just recently turned 57 and the progression of her "Alzheimer's," has been steadily going downward. It is a horrible, heartbreaking, disease that robs a person of their memories, and life skills. In 2016 my wife had to retire because the disease had made working almost impossible. I am retired also, and while this should be the time in our lives where we travel, relax, and enjoy life, like our friends are doing, it is anything but. Our daughters are grown, on their own, married, with children of their own, and working, so they pitch in when they can, and I appreciate the help they do give me. However, my life has gotten very lonely, and not fun at all. This is not the way I thought our future was going to be, this is not the way I planned it! I remember someone saying to me; "God doesn't give you more than you can handle." To that I say; "ya, well try it for awhile and then come back and say that." Being a "caregiver," is stressful, and demanding. So, if you know someone who is a "caregiver," be kind to them, offer them a kind word, a helping hand, a hug, you just might make their day.