Caring for a Spouse

After only a few weeks with his daughter, Charlie is now back home. Although he is happy to be back, providing all of his care without the VA's help has been a challenge for me. I feel for caregivers who have limited or no help on this journey.

Charlie has been in the hospital for a couple of weeks with endocarditis. This ordeal was complicated further by his dementia, causing intense confusion and hallucinations. Only time will tell if his mental state will improve along with his health.

Celine Dion's husband, René Angélil, battled throat cancer for 15 years. Dion shares her personal experiences of caring for and supporting him and discusses how she stayed strong in spite of such dire circumstances.

Charlie has been having some more health issues lately, which landed him in the hospital. We still aren't sure what's wrong, but the VA medical team has been proactive and thorough with administering tests and potential treatments.

Charlie recently fell ill, but we had a difficult time determining what was wrong. Our team from the Home-Based VA Care Program was punctual, determined, and considerate throughout the entire process, and for that I am grateful.

Many individuals struggle to accept the label of “family caregiver,” but fully embracing this role increases our chances of succeeding in it.

After one stint of my husband refusing to bathe for six weeks, I finally admitted to myself and his VA doctor that I needed some help at home. This is our incredible experience with the VA’s home-based care programs.

A dementia patient's idiosyncrasies can be rather puzzling. As caregivers, we must learn to go with the flow and pick our battles carefully.

Charlie has developed serious dental problems, so now I have to decide which treatment he should get. Do I go for the costly surgery that lasts longer or the more affordable option that could break down in a few years?

Charlie's memories of flying in WWII are still fresh for him, yet he can't remember who his grandson is. When someone has dementia, their oldest memories often last the longest.

I had trouble learning how to ask for help when Charlie's dementia care became too much for me to handle.

The selective memory of those suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's disease can be baffling for caregivers. Here's how I cope with Charlie's memory slips.

My husband’s dementia keeps convincing him to turn down the thermostat, even though I tell him not to. He means well and I try to keep my patience, but troublesome dementia behaviors like these are still frustrating to deal with.

I just returned from ten days in Florida visiting my family. My get-away was surprisingly relaxing.

I haven't been away from Charlie for more than two hours at a time since July of 2013, but this caregiver needs a break.

Charlie used to be a gadget guru, capable of fixing anything. Now, because of his dementia, I have to explain to him how to turn off the TV every night.

Caregivers, be aware of how and where you store medications in your home and around those with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. My husband Charlie recently gave me a fright when he found a bottle of my Advil PM.

The holiday season is always stressful, but when you add caregiving to the mix, the season for love and sharing can become almost too much to handle. Here's how Charlie and I cope.

Charlie doesn't want to go to the doctor anymore and he refuses to do his rehab. When is it time to stop medical intervention and just try to make our loved ones are as happy and comfortable as possible?

It was a September day in 2008 when my husband and I began our trip down dementia's ever-darkening road.