Nursing home?

Hi - My heart goes out to you because it is not easy to manage all the things on your plate right now. While I have not been in this situation personally, I hope others who have can jump in and share their experience. We are here for you and are always available to be a listening ear. This is a tough decision and we completely understand why you may be feeling guilty, but it takes a lot of strength to acknowledge that caring for your husband at home is becoming too much for you to manage alone. Sending warm thoughts - Lauren (ParkinsonsDisease.net Team)

I am sorry to hear that you are going through this. While I am not at this stage yet, a member of my family is going through dementia, and it is becoming necessary for her to get more care than she is able to provide for herself (note, she lives alone). As a person with Parkinson's, it's especially hard to face each stage of my own losing control of what I can do on my own and having to ask for help. I would definitely see losing the familiarity and love of home being a greater challenge, and something to definitely consider, as well as reaffirming that it isn't an end to your relationship together. Perhaps there is an impartial pastor or health care provider that can mediate the discussion and show how safety is the paramount issue involved here. I wish you both well with this tough situation. Big hugs and much support.

I have recently had to make similar decisions for my husband. It is extremely difficult, but you will know when you can no longer keep him or yourself safe at home. I learned the hard way that things you never imagine can occur when dealing with Parkinson’s with dementia. I have been my husband of 55 years caregiver for five years. I had planned to do that until one of us graduated to Heaven. Parkinson’s with Lewy bodies dementia changed that. Consider looking at facilities that treat memory care specifically. These are not nursing homes, and the staff are trained to aide patients of all ages suffering from a memory disease along with other health issues. My heart goes out to you. I know how difficult this is. My faith is what I rely on daily.

My husband age 67 is in his 2nd year since diagnosis, I also have fears of what to do when it gets to the dementia or Lewy Body stage, I am almost 73 and do not think physically, mentally and emotionally I will be able to cope with being a 24/7 caregiver, sometimes individuals get very difficult to cope with the mood swings, anger and lack of understanding what is going on in their head. I think about this alot, his memory is getting worse also he is hard of hearing and does not want to wear the hearing aids. does not take his medication as prescribed, which I feel is selfish on his part, I think he is in denial about the progression of the disease. So far he has tremors in one arm, and still thinks he should be able to ride horses, and his Harley, and work. If it gets worse I will have to ask for help from his only child a daugther who lives in a different state. I never planned on being a care giver.