My husband’s dementia journey was difficult. He never knew he had dementia. This was a blessing, and for that I am thankful. He did not suffer.
Sadly, his inability to see that he had any problem remembering or understanding financial decisions caused me much anxiety and caused some problems. It also made it impossible to even look at any of the treatments, as they only work in the early stages. However, since the current treatments only slow the progress, I am not sure he missed out on anything.
I am so thankful that he never knew he could no longer recognize his son or his sister, or that he lost his ability to fix things. It wasn’t until he could no longer speak that he lost the ability to sing and remember the hymns of his life. I am so thankful for the things that remained and that he was spared from knowing.
For me as a caregiver, I am thankful that I did know and that I prepared. I am thankful for everything I did to prepare because at each stage I was ready. The life insurance policy with a long-term care rider paid for his care and would have paid even if the money I invested ran out. I never worried about who would pay the bills if something happened and I was no longer able to do so. I am thankful that my husband received excellent care, thankful for all the friends who visited, and thankful for all the lessons I had learned helping others along their journey.
If you are on the journey, give me a call so you can be prepared.
