My experience as caregiver of my husband with fronto-temporal dementia
Eliza, age: 56
Who do you take care of? For how long?
I take care of my husband for more than 6 years.
Tell me a little bit about yourself: how your days unfold, how care work coincides with your other life activities such as work, family and your passions?
As long as I went to work and my son went to kindergarten, it was chaotic. Now I am his personal assistant and the days are more organised. It is very difficult to fit everything together. I don’t have the passion anymore.
What are the main difficulties you encounter?
With this type of dementia (front-temporal dementia), the biggest problems are relationship and psychological problems.
How do you try to deal with them?
I try to deal with them in every possible way, with the help of doctors, clinical psychologists, school, etc.
Do you feel discriminated against or prejudiced as a carer?
I don’t feel discriminated against or burdened by prejudice, and that’s probably because I’m a health professional.
Is there anything you would like people who are not caregivers to know?
People are unaware of the disease and have no idea how difficult it is to care for someone like them.