The beginning of our Journey with Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease

I am creating this blog not only to help myself but in hopes of reaching others who may have a spouse suffering with early onset Alzheimer's disease. My husband is only 55 and I am 50. This is not what I had expected to be experiencing at our age. I admit I am frightened. We are only now in the process of getting the diagnosis, but we really know in our hearts that we are facing an unpleasant future. My husband's father died of early onset Alzheimer's disease when he was 57. We need the diagnosis to confirm what we already know so that my husband can retire from his long 30 year career through his company's long-term disability program rather than simply being forced to retire early. This economic crisis has crippled his retirement savings. Even with his company's long-term disability program, his income will be cut in half. Our lifestyle will undergo major changes, especially with children still at home.

I have already had to take over the family finances, communicate with his supervisor and learn what I dreaded most (that he was declining rapidly at work), and be in charge of his medical appointments, and legal issues. At least I know that I am not making things up now. Over the past few years, I thought he just didn't care about me anymore. He thought he was doing so well at work, so I believed his not remembering what we talked about was because of me. I would get upset when he promised to do things and forgot, or when he stopped listening in the middle of a conversation, or when he sounded so angry for no apparent reason.

When he finally started getting demoted at work, we had to finally face what life was really going to be like. I know that on my own I am not strong enough for everyone to lean on, but with strength from the Lord, I will become stronger. I remind myself to express love and compassion, and I must remember when my husband forgets what he promises to do or acts odd and confusing to me, that he is sick. It is NOT because he doesn't care about me or love me anymore. It is not about me. It is about what is happening to him.