On the recommendation of the neurologist who examined her husband, Mrs. Martin-Perret's husband takes a ginkgo preparation.

On the recommendation of the neurologist who examined her husband, Mrs. Martin-Perret's husband takes a ginkgo preparation.

Until a significant event, Mrs. Martin-Perret attributed the first signs of illness in her husband to his age.

Mrs. Martin-Perret attributed the first signs of illness in her husband, such as searching for words and confusion, to his age. Eventually, there was a significant event that she could not explain away with age.

At night, her husband sleeps very well, which is a great relief for Mrs. Martin-Perret. Her husband also takes naps during the day, which she uses as rest time for herself.

At night, her husband sleeps very well, which is a great relief for Mrs. Martin-Perret. Her husband also takes naps during the day, which she uses as rest time for herself.

To engage and stimulate her husband, Mrs. Martin-Perret looks into the option of a game she saw recommended on TV.

To engage and stimulate her husband, Mrs. Martin-Perret looks into the option of a game she saw recommended on TV by bringing it up with her husband’s nurse.

Her husband keeps the disease concealed; he does not want to talk about it. Mrs. Martin-Perret instructs others that they should not raise the topic of the disease with him or make it an issue.

Her husband keeps the disease concealed; he does not want to talk about it. Mrs. Martin-Perret instructs others that they should not raise the topic of the disease with him or make it an issue.

Mrs. Martin-Perret has found a strong position from which she feels she can live with her husband's dementia.

Mrs. Martin-Perret has found a strong position from which she feels she can live with her husband's dementia. She leaves behind the life of their past, accepts the disease, and adapts to the situation by pushing aside her own grief, educating herself about the disease, and following the recommendations of other caregivers.

Understanding and accepting the illness means not judging the behavior of the sick person as intentional, says Mrs. Martin-Perret.

Understanding and accepting the illness means not judging the behavior of the sick person as intentional, says Mrs. Martin-Perret.

Mrs. Martin-Perret notes that her husband does not want to confront his illness, which is why she is equally reserved about bringing it up.

Mrs. Martin-Perret notes that her husband does not want to confront his illness, which is why he avoids visits to the doctor. In order not to unsettle him, she reacts in a way that is reserved. His Alzheimer's diagnosis was not explicitly communicated to him by his family doctor.

It takes a certain attitude to be there for a person with dementia, says Mrs. Martin-Perret. You have to put yourself and your own life on hold.

It takes a certain attitude to be there for a person with dementia, says Mrs. Martin-Perret. You have to put yourself and your own life on hold.

The fact that her husband seems to be doing well confirms to Mrs. Martin-Perret that she understands him and that she has found a successful approach for dealing with him.

The fact that her husband seems to be doing well confirms to Mrs. Martin-Perret that she understands him and that she has found a successful approach for dealing with him. Mrs. Martin-Perret says that her husband is usually content.

Alzheimer's dementia has a whimsical side that leaves Mrs. Martin-Perret puzzled and confused.

Alzheimer's dementia has a whimsical side that leaves Mrs. Martin-Perret puzzled and confused. In the interview, she mentions examples of this all the time. She has a practice of writing down certain statements and behaviors of her husband that strike her.

Mrs. Martin-Perret says that she does not control her husband but lets him do what he wants. Even if he gets lost and no longer knows where he is, she lets him go.

Mrs. Martin-Perret says that she does not control her husband but lets him do what he wants. Even if he gets lost and no longer knows where he is, she lets him go.

Mrs. Martin-Perret trusts in her abilities. She knows her limits and is confident she would seek help if necessary.

Mrs. Martin-Perret trusts in her abilities. She knows her limits and is confident she would seek help if necessary.

Mrs. Martin-Perret does not want her husband to transfer to a nursing home. She feels relieved that this position is supported by an outside person.

Mrs. Martin-Perret does not want her husband to transfer to a nursing home. She compares her position with that of her informant. Mrs. Martin-Perret feels relieved that she is supported in her position by her informant.