Here is my story- Is it drinking or dementia

It took me years to put a label to my husband's dementia.  I will call him Dave.  Dave changed so much after retirement. He was content to sit in a chair and watch TV all day.  He had little interest in doing anything else.  I complained so much to his doctors that I was watching him deteriorate that one doctor suggested going to a marriage counselor.  Funny enough, that helped.  At least I understood that he knew he was failing and was really unable to do much of anything else.

It all began when Dave drove a mortorcycle up to Lake George.  It was a fun adventure with his two sons, but a long ride.  Dave complained of his legs hurting.  At the Lake George event, he found elastic stockings with magnets in them.  That helped with the pain and he was able to get home, a four hour ride in the rain. At least this trip prompted a visit to the doctor the next day.  Dave had two blocked carotid arteries and was scheduled to have an endarterectomy,  a roto rooter treatment for the carotid arteries. The doctors changed their minds the day before surgery.  Dave needed by pass surgery including vein replacement down the leg.  Long story short, this was the beginning of vascular dementia.

Afraid to admit dementia of loved one

When I am at a women's club meeting or with acquaintances, I find people hold back.  Do you take care of a loved one who has dementia?  How are you taking care of yourself and when?