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Alzheimer's Reading Room
We are seeking articles on this topic -- What is it like to be an Alzheimer's caregiver?
We are not looking for theory from outside observers. We are looking for personalized articles from actual Alzheimer's caregivers.
The article should be original content that has not been published on the Internet prior to publication here. You retain the copyright to your article and it can be republished elsewhere after a 48 hour embargo. If your article publishes here, it will be syndicated.
Your article can be a single sentence, or a detailed reflection of what life is like for you as an Alzheimer's caregiver.
Please include your name, short bio (75 words or less), and a link back to your blog, Facebook page, or website (if you have one).
Send your submission to this email address. Please put these words in the subject box -- "Article Submit -- What is it like being an Alzheimer's caregiver?".
What is it like being an Alzheimer's caregiver?
The caregiver lives life on a roller coaster of emotion. Imagine being happy and then sad, caring then angry, focused then frustrated, an almost endless stream of feelings and emotions that conflict. The caregiver lives an anxiety filled life day-after-day.
Try to imagine living your life in a state of constant uncertainty -- it is gut wrenching.
The caregiver watches as their loved one takes on erratic behaviors that are hard to deal with and hard to comprehend.
Less well known is that a large fraction, as high as forty percent, of Alzheimer's caregivers end up suffering from depression. Alzheimer's is an illness that breeds illness.
The caregiver nevers knows when this craziness might come to an end. It usually last longer then they could ever have imagined.
The actual experience and feeling of helplessness cannot be described. Knowing that the day is coming when they -- won't know you -- is the most horrific feeling of them all.
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Original content Bob DeMarco, the Alzheimer's Reading Room