“I love him and I don’t want to be lonely,” reflects Linda Walsh-Klein, the wife of memory care day care participant at Villa at Terracina Grand, a memory care community in Florida. “I think I’m selfish because I know that he’s probably going to do just fine. It’s me who will struggle. I’m going to have to learn how to live without him and that’s the hardest thing, I think.”

A Community of Support

Linda believes that having someone who understands the journey you are taking is invaluable. “You can read about it in all the books, but until you live it 24/7, you have no idea what it’s going to be like or what your spouse is going to need,” says Linda. “The more you share, the better off you feel because you’re not alone. Take advantage of what’s out there in the community.”

Recognizing the Right Time to Transition to a Memory Care Community

\In addition to seeking emotional support, it’s important for caregivers to be able to understand and identify when they need help with personal care as well. As a caregiver, it is common to want to keep your loved one with you living at home, as long as possible, even if managing their care becomes difficult. Linda talks about three factors that caused her to make the decision to find alternative care options for her husband, including the inability to maintain hygiene, increased cases of wandering, and behavioral issues.