Hi BobbyDelray, I was my mother's caregiver for several years. She suffered from cancer, a stroke and dementia. Before it was all over, our family had totally abandoned us with apparent hostility towards me. I'm still in therapy trying to piece my life back together and figuring out why and how it all happened. I may not be all together yet, but I'm still alive. Hang in there.

Being a caregiver is incredibly stressful. There's at least one care facility here in Oakland that offers what they call "respite care", so the caregiver can have some time off to recharge.

Remember the instructions that flight attendants give: put on your own oxygen mask before you try to help anybody else put theirs on. If you don't take care of yourself, you won't be able to take care of anybody else.

so sad

I worked for 10 years in a nursing home where the majority of patients had Alzheimer's. I wept with many families as the watched their loved ones memories slip away. God bless you Bobby.

First, thanks to each of your for your comments. I believe all caregivers benefit by learning that they are not alone--that others have or are going through a similar situation.

Actually, I am doing very well.

However, I get emails every week from caregivers, via my blog, that are not getting supported by their relatives. Five already today in reaction to the article on my blog.

Alzheimer's is a sinister disease. It tries to rip apart everything that it comes in contact with.

I am looking forward to the upcoming HBO documentary --The Alzheimer's Project --and seeing how they handle the Caregiver section.