November is National Family Caregivers Month and National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. To mark these events, the Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter is recognizing a few of the more than 518,000 Michigan family members and friends serving as Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers with a Caregiver Q&A.
Caregiver name: Birdie Sheridan
Loved one living with dementia: Jim Sheridan
Relationship to one another: Wife and husband
Was your loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia? In what year were they diagnosed? Jim was diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia in 2016.
Can you tell us a little bit about your journey with the disease? Our family journey was that we were all perplexed until my son made the discovery. I took him to the best neo doctor available and he was diagnosed with early stage. We all pitched in on various ways and I discovered just how wonderful our adult sons are.
Do you work outside the home? If so, where? If not, has dementia impacted your ability to do so? I am retired. I loved my jobs but Jim needs me full time now.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a caregiver? My biggest challenge is the mere isolation. Our families all live in Wisconsin, and now with covid... Just now I have found a yoga place and am cooking up a storm.
Has COVID-19 changed things for you and your loved one? If so, how? Yes, COVID has actually changed everything. Jim is unaware of COVID.
What would you tell a family or future caregivers who are new to this journey? When Jim was diagnosed, I read everything I could get my hands on. It was an intro, but until it all hits… For example, my husband is just not Jim at all. He was once a brilliant CPA and now does not know what 2x2 is. He talks a lot but makes no sense at all. He is similar to a 3-year-old, very needy but very sweet. Just love them. Be there. One thing we have been doing with our sons is that they take him for rides, ice cream and walks. They also help with neglected housework and are pitching in to help me. I appreciate it so.
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How has the Alzheimer's Association helped? The Alzheimer’s Association was a bucketful of information. They have excellent counselors, activities, art and social engagement opportunities with the Detroit Zoo, the Detroit Institute of Arts and more.
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.™ For more information, visit www.alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.