Last week I spent the day in Columbia with my friends at the South Carolina Alzheimer’s Association's annual conference.  The room was filled with energized caregivers including Mr. Carlos Gibbons (Leeza’s dad.) I was happy to see Carlos again, certainly because he is a great guy but also because I knew he would add tremendous value to the conversation.  He spoke about the importance of his caregiver’s support group that he would meet with at a local restaurant each week.  And how much this group of caregiving spouses would share their thoughts and challenges, and even some laughs. (Lots of laughs.)

The session was also memorable for another gentleman who stood to talk to this group of caregivers and told us that he was living with Alzheimer’s.  He was still in the early stages of the disease, so he has been involved in his own care as much as possible.  He spoke of the importance of learning about becoming involved in appropriate clinical trials as well as the importance of honest communications with his loved ones.  He reiterated something that I heard my friend Richard Taylor talk about last year to a group of family caregivers.  And that is to remember that no matter how frustrating it may be to you, in most cases, even though you have said the same thing over and over again – each repetition is the first time hearing it for your loved one living with Alzheimer’s disease.  And isn’t that a small inconvenience to live through to be able to still be in communication with the one you love.

 

Gary Barg
Editor-in-Chief
gary@caregiver.com