Episode 130 - COVID-19 DEMENTIA IN A COMMITTED RELATIONSHIP: LOSS OF INTIMACY AND DEVASTATING GRIEF

In today's episode, we focus on the devastating experiences of spouses or partners in committed relationships who have lost a loved one. The intense grief following such a loss causes great distress and impacts physical health and well-being. Many people don't know how to handle and express their grief and need support, even when they don't reach out for help. We also return to Patti Davis' book, "Floating in the Deep End: How Caregivers Can See Beyond Alzheimer's". While most of her memoir is on target with help for understanding and caring for someone with Alzheimer's, we disagree with her position (shared by others in the dementia community) that views affairs as appropriate self-care when one partner can no longer meet the other's physical needs. We share our conviction that such behavior is less than respectful and honoring to a beloved one.