Husband is in memory care now for over 1 year and I feel so awful. I just feel so lost without him. Does it ever get better?

Yesterday, when I visited my husband in Memory Care, we were sitting on the bed, looking at cute Facebook pictures of our great granddaughter's first day of pre-school. He leaned toward me and said, "I'm so glad we're home together again." I realized then that to him, home was not a place, but when we were together. I left there feeling a little bit of peace instead of the constant heart-heaviness. I'm praying for you, Roofie, that God will provide you with small moments of peace in this awful world of spousal dementia.

I understand completely and am exactly in the same place you are. My husband has been in memory care for just over a year now too. I posted recently about possibly bringing him back home (because I miss him so much) but have dismissed that idea thanks to all the wise answers I’ve gotten on this forum. I’m a young 66 year old and am not yet ready to downsize and move to a “senior” type apartment or such. I think I need to do more social things as well. Maybe find a new social circle…somehow my current circle seems to be insensitive and just not what I need in my life anymore. They just want business as usual and expect me to be the same I guess. To answer your question as to whether it gets better, I feel it waxes and wanes. It changes. There’s not a day that I don’t think about my husband and the good times we’ve had but I know he is getting good care. We are like love birds (all googled-eyed and smiles, hand holding etc) whenever I visit him. A nurse recently told me that the staff members strive to have a relationship like my husband and me. LOL. The love still shines through. Everyday I wake up I am thankful for another day and just ask for strength (mentally & physically) to make it through. One day at a time. We will get through this. Hugs to you.

It's never easy to deal with a loved one who's been diagnosed with dementia, but I'm sure you placed your DH in Memory Care because you were no longer able to care for him successfully at home. It's kind of a no-win situation, really, but you're better off dealing with bills and the upkeep of your home without ALSO having to deal with the 24/7 care and maintenance of a DH with dementia, right?

That said, why not think about downsizing and moving to a senior independent apartment one of these days? It's a lot easier on the pocketbook and there's no real upkeep to an apartment vs. a home. You'll likely make new friends and not have to rely on your daughter for socialization. There's nothing like developing a network of friends of your own to get you into a better frame of mind and new way of life!

And last but not least, you may want to think about getting some therapy to help you with this phase of your life. Someone to help you develop new coping strategies and give you ideas to encourage your own personal development is always a good idea.

Try to remember that DH is well cared for in a safe Memory Care ALF and while you feel lost and discouraged, you made a wise decision by placing him in such an environment. My mother lives in a Memory Care herself, and always talks about 'going home', but such a thing isn't possible. I feel like she's really talking about a place in TIME more than a brick & mortar building anyway, since she hasn't had a house since 2011. Keep in mind that with dementia, they say a lot of things that we shouldn't take personally or internalize, you know? It's hard, I know.....I always leave a visit with her feeling despondent myself. Dementia has a way of leaving everyone feeling blue, doesn't it?

Wishing you the best of luck with everything you have on your plate right now. Sending you a hug and a prayer for peace, too.

You are doing what I would suggest that you do.
It is difficult having your husband in the care of others.
Do you belong to a Support Group? Often Memory Care facilities will have Support Groups for family members. If they don't you might want to suggest that one get started. Support Groups can be of great help.
Do you have a pet? I can not imagine getting home and not having my 3 dogs waiting for me.
Stay strong, keep busy and know you have done what is best for both you and him.

Some readers are recommending that you bring your husband back home, and that would be wonderful if you could restore your lives together somewhat like they were before, and if you can put together most or all the care resources that is currently provided by the MC facility at home. As you have stated, your husband has been there for over a year. You must have had a good reason(s) to make that choice at that time. You obviously did your due diligence for that decision and you daughter supported it. If you are going to change your mind now, please do the same due diligence to ensure it is a good decision for both of you.

I have read all the replies to your post and can honestly say I understand how you feel. My husband has Parkinson's and progressing dementia. I recently (6 weeks ago) transitioned him to MC after he declined after a week hospitalization for sepsis then 5 weeks of rehab. I visit him usually 5 out of 7 days a week and have a part time caregiver for a few hours 3 days (the facility has been short staffed). I have been filled with guilt and sadness because I miss him at home and would have preferred to care for him here but the stress of caring for him, and taking care of a home, finances and two pups after his decline reached a point I could no longer handle. I KNOW now he is in the best place, and he actually has adjusted better than I have (he rarely says he wants to go home). I am starting to feel like he is just at his other "home", comfortable, safe and treated with dignity and respect. I thought, and thought, and thought, about making this decision, and the professionals, family and friends agreed it was the best for both of us. I highly recommend you don't listen to those that say to bring him home. When it becomes a 24 hour job, with or without caregivers, the daily stress is overwhelming. As many people have said to me - you have to take care of yourself or you're no good for your spouse/parent/child. I got a pedicure, a massage, and try to walk my dogs every day. Wishing you the best in the journey.

You’ve experienced a huge life change and it’s natural to feel discouraged that things aren’t going to be the same anymore. You’re doing a good start by visiting your husband and volunteering. Don’t have the conversation with him anymore about coming home, it gets nowhere and only brings you both down. Change the subject immediately anytime it comes up. I hope you can find a support group for caregivers near your location, talking with those in similar situations can really help. I wish you both peace

I understand, it is so very hard and lonely. When he asks you to take him home, say something like, that would be so nice and change the topic ( redirect). You made the decision to place him where he receives the kind of care you felt he needs, don't second guess that choice. ( For anyone to guilt you into taking him home is cruel and not what a support group should be doing in my opinion. Everyone has their personal level of being a caregiver - not everyone is able to sacrifice everything for a loved one as much as they want too) As sad as it sounds, you might want to start moving forward with your life without him, dementia only gets worse over time, he may reach the point where he does not recognize you. You will want a support network in place because it is heartbreaking. I pray for anyone on this long goodbye journey daily.

I'm so sorry you're going through this.

I think one thing older people don't tend to expect is great upheaval in their lives prior BEFORE a spouse dies, but oftentimes that's exactly what happens. You have had a big change in your life just as your husband has, and it does take time to adapt to it, especially if you now have tasks to handle that you didn't have before.

The important thing, I think, is not to suffer in silence and to ask for help from your daughter rather than wait for her to find the time to call. I hope you're also having a social life, not just volunteering at the senior center. You need someone to commiserate with, and to swap stories of how to cope with these big changes.

My dad cared for my mother with dementia for four years before he died, and he'd have lost his mind if he wasn't able to go to his weekly Rotary Club meetings, to church, and even just out to the grocery stores to do his weekly rounds of sale shopping. I came up to visit once or twice a week, and he'd just talk and talk -- not complain -- but he needed the social interaction. It wasn't until I had to move in with my folks once my dad got sick did I truly realize how isolating his existence was. He had told me, "My world is getting smaller and smaller," and I really understood it then. However, he took it upon himself to expand his world as much as was feasible while caring for Mom, and I think he was as content as he could be in his situation.

My point is that you're going to have to go out on a bit of a limb yourself to find things to keep you content. The senior center work isn't enough, so add another activity in there as well. Try to go to lunch once a week, with a friend or even alone. Get a book on how to organize yourself and the household. There are books for late-blooming young adults on "adulting," and while it might seem a little patronizing to get one, you might find some good tips in one. I bought one for my 23-year-old son, and it has yet to work, :-) but you have a head start on some of that.

Good luck, and yes, it'll be better -- just different.

When people have been married for a long time, they become emotionally dependent on each other. If they own a home, they usually both pitch in to help with managing the household (bills, grass cutting, etc.)

When a loved one is in Memory Care, it's not that different from being widowed - because the spouse is not "there" for us, physically or emotionally.

As others have suggested, you might consider downsizing and moving into a senior apartment where you would not have so much upkeep.

You might also need more social outlets than just volunteering at the Senior Center. You might even consider a part-time job, as many places are desperate for workers right now.