Ten million Americans struggle to take care of a relative with Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia, according to a series of articles in USA Today.
Welcome to Joseph Skillin’s site dedicated to his book Confessions of a Caregiver. Here you will find valuable information regarding caregiving in general and Alzheimer’s. Joe writes honestly about the difficulties and rewards of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s.
This book has a single purpose. With blunt honesty I expose my own feelings so that you can prepare yourself for caring for an Alzheimer’s patient — or any daily care situation.
My reactive feelings to this Alzheimer’s-in-my-house are all over the place: confusing, positive and negative, unclear and contradictory, hopeful and pessimistic, loving and resentful. Sometimes I feel like screaming in frustration. Other times I say, “This is just the way it is. You take care of family.”
When you understand where I’ve been, perhaps you won’t feel quite so frustrated or guilty. You will fully realize that many others have been there before you, or are there even today. You’ll feel normal rather than unusual, connected rather than isolated, familiar rather than uncertain, maybe even confident rather than scared.
Joe Skillin and his wife took into their home his mother-in-law, a once vivacious and fun spirit now suffering from Alzheimer’s.
When Mom developed Alzheimer’s and came to live with us, we were clueless about what this visit would become. We quickly became aware of the negative aspects of this entire situation – Alzheimer’s the sickness, the suffering the disease inflicted on Mom, the change of priorities and schedules, the strain on my wife, and the apparent squeeze on our freedom or certainly our normal schedule. All those negative feelings –they were real, daily, imposing, and eating at my soul.
What effect does Alzheimer’s have on the caregiver? This book was written for you—the caregiver of the Alzheimer’s patient or any full-time caregiver—to prepare you for the emotional rollercoaster you will experience. Joe bares his anger, resentment, frustrations, and eventually his love and hope as he and his wife live the caregiver’s life. While reading of his trials and triumphs, you will understand the simple tools he uses to cope with the daily frustrations and difficulties. Gain a deeper understanding of your own situation from Confessions of a Caregiver.
Contact the Author
Email: [email protected]
Blog: http://caregiverconnect.blogspot.com
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