Three families came this past week to discuss the problems and stress of giving care to a spouse with some degree of dementia. In each case the caregiving spouse, all of whom happened to be wives, talked about and exhibited signs of the toll it was taking on them. They were not getting sleep, were anxious for their spouse and themselves, and felt overwhelmed by the unrelenting demands. They were incredibly devoted to their husband’s care, but reluctantly came to the realization that their own health was suffering, and that if they themselves became sick, that was bad for both spouses. What could they do?
